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Published: 2010; Updated: August 2011

We investigated the Measles Initiative because it seeks to expand access to measles vaccines, which has been found to be a proven, cost-effective method for saving lives in the developing world (more at our full report on expanding immunization coverage).

We reviewed the information available on the Measles Initiative's website and contacted it to discuss our remaining questions. In September 2010, the Measles Initiative informed us that it did not have time to participate in the evaluation.1 We contacted Measles Initiative again in August 2011 and received the same reply.2 We did not continue with our evaluation process.

We do not have specifics on how the Measles Initiative spends the funds it receives or on what impact these activities would likely have. Therefore, we cannot confidently recommend the Measles Initative to donors.

What do they do?

The Measles Initiative appears to be composed of partner organizations, and we are unclear what the role of the Measles Initiative itself is.

According to its website, the Measles Initiative "provides technical and financial support to governments and communities on vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance worldwide."3 More specifically, it appears that the Measles Initiative, through its partner organizations, supports vaccination efforts in a variety of ways:4

• "Technical leadership and strategic planning" by the World Health Organization
• Logistics (procuring and delivering supplies) by UNICEF
• "Epidemiological and laboratory surveillance" by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Demand-side mobilization by the Red Cross
• Fund raising and financial management by the UN Foundation

Additionally, measles vaccination campaigns may include distribution of other life-saving and improving goods such as insecticide-treated bed nets, vitamin A, polio vaccines, and de-worming medication.5

Does it work?

Global mortality declines

It appears that measles deaths have declined dramatically in recent years. According to the Measles Initiative website, "measles deaths worldwide fell by 78 percent between 2000 and 2008, from an estimated 750,000 to 164,000."6

Mortality rates are calculated using data on measles cases reported by governments to the World Health Organization, estimates of children reached through vaccination campaigns, and knowledge of the characteristics of the disease.7

Monitoring and evaluation

Vaccination campaign reports are available online for 53 of 143 campaigns conducted between 2001 and 2008.8 Some of these are technical reports that discuss how the quality of vaccination efforts and number of children immunized was monitored, how the campaign was carried out, and what other interventions were implemented during the campaign.

We are unclear as to what role the Measles Initiative played in these campaigns.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 2009. Global measles mortality (2000–2008) (PDF). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report December 4, 2009.
• Christie, Athalia, Edward Hoekstra, and Peter Strebel. 2009. GIVS 2010: