USAID: Annual Progress Report To Congress: Global Health Programs FY 2014
September 2015 :: 46 pages
[Excerpt p. 11]
PROTECTING THROUGH IMMUNIZATION
IMMUNIZATION IS AMONG THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN TO SURVIVE THE MOS T PERILOUS PERIOD OF LIFE, BEFORE TURNING ONE, WHEN IMMUNE SYSTEMS ARE NOT FULLY DEVELOPED . VACCINES AVERT AN ESTIMATED 2 TO 3 MILLION DEATHS EACH YEAR .

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Smallpox killed some 300 million people in the 20th century alone before it was eradicated i n 1979. Before widespread immunization, measles caused 2.6 million deaths each year.

Sixty years ago, polio was one of the most feared diseases in the U.S. Today, polio is close r to being eradicated than ever before—only 35 9 cases were reported in 2014, and more than 1 0 million cases of childhood paralysis have bee n prevented. The U.S. has been working wit h the Global Polio Eradication Initiative since the beginning of this effort.

Today, we vaccinate children to prevent diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps , pertussis, pneumonia, polio, rotavirus, rubella and tetanus.

Despite global coverage at 83%, nearly 22 million infants worldwide are still not receiving basic vaccines. This estimate masks inequalities between and among countries. To help ensure that children do not die of vaccine-preventable diseases, USAID is working to strengthen routine immunization systems in the 24 priority countries.

Immunization is central to the strategy to end preventable child and maternal deaths. USAID works with partners around the world including national governments, UNICEF, WHO, Gavi , and others to extend access to life-saving vaccines. Strong direct support for Gavi and complementary technical assistance at the country level, predominantly through investing in immunization systems, strengthens local capacity to vaccinate effectively at scale. USAID’s work on immunizations focuses on three priority actions: Work through and with Gavi; Strengthen Country-Level Immunization Systems; Eradicate Polio Globally….