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Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Friday, 1 March 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 March 2019 (named day). It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 March 2019 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Measles: Disease Control

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of measles cases throughout the world.

Answer

The UK is concerned about the rising number of measles cases globally and is supporting efforts to reduce these in low income countries through investment in Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The UK is the largest donor to Gavi, which has helped immunise over 700 million children since 2000 and prevented more than 10 million deaths from vaccine preventable diseases.

Gavi is helping to reduce the number of measles cases by supporting routine immunisation. This is supplemented by rapid vaccination campaigns to stem outbreaks when they occur and limit the spread. Over 67 million people have been vaccinated through Gavi against measles through routine immunisation and over 370 million people have been vaccinated through campaigns.

The UK will host Gavi’s replenishment in 2020, demonstrating the UK's continued strong commitment to support Gavi's efforts to save children’s lives from measles as well as other vaccine preventable diseases.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
227365
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Development aid Disease control Measles
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk