Zimbabwe scored a 93 percent measles immunisation rate in 2013, against the US’s 91 percent. Lesotho, at 92 percent, also beat the US while the remaining 14 African countries scored from 94 to 99 percent.
“For once, Africa is outpacing America in combating measles. Vaccination rates have decreased in the US, leading to the current outbreak, while in Africa, measles jabs increased by 39% between 2000 and 2013,” said GGA in a report after its Africa Survey.
The survey is a comprehensive annual collection of social, political and economic indicators compiled from a wide range of sources.
“The strong correlation between increases in immunisation against measles and decreases in both incidence and deaths due to this disease is evident in many African countries,” added GGA.
In Niger, immunisation rates went up by 81 percent between 2000 and 2013, while deaths decreased by 91 percent.
Ethiopia increased immunisation by 88 percent and decreased deaths by 78 percent from 20,634 in 2000 to 4,541 in 2013.
Mauritius, Tanzania and Morocco scored highest at 99 percent, while Libya and Burundi followed closely at 98 percent.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that kills an average of 400 children every day, according to Kate van Niekerk, a GGA researcher.?
Post published in: Africa News