News Desk: The global efforts to reduce the measles deaths have fallen flat to achieve the target set by the World Health Organization (WHO). An analysis said that the delay in vaccination programmes in India was one of the factors to stall the progress.  


The report published in The Lancet said that the number of measles deaths have fallen by 74% between 2000 and 2010. The WHO had set the target of 90%. However, the outbreaks in Africa and delays in some programmes in India stalled the progress.


According to the report, the number of deaths worldwide fell from 535,300 in 2000 to 139,300 in 2010. It might be a significant achievement for the organisation, but not a great gain.


While India accounted 47% measles deaths in 2010, 36% deaths were recorded in African region. A total of 222 measles cases were reported in the US last year. The report said that most of the cases were imported, but no death was recorded.


The primary reason for the measles deaths in India is believed to be the low vaccine coverage of 74%. Africa, where the poor health infrastructure is reported, has a higher vaccination rate of 76%.


The average of vaccination in the US is 93%, Western Europe (95%), Western Pacific (97%).


However, a new campaign has been launched worldwide to tackle both measles and rubella jabs.

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