Determining measles-containing vaccine demand and supply: an imperative to support measles mortality reduction efforts.

Measles remains a major cause of mortality with an estimated 745,000 deaths in 2001. The timely, sustained, and uninterrupted supply of affordable vaccines is critical for global efforts to reduce measles mortality. The measles vaccine supply needs to be considered in the context of vaccine security. In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) issued a number of new recommendations for measles control that resulted in a two-fold increase in the number of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) doses administered between 2000 and 2002. Any additional increments in mass campaigns must be duly planned and have time lines so that vaccine production capacities are increased to optimal levels. The cornerstone of vaccine security efforts remains at the country level. WHO and UNICEF, with major partners, will review progress on measles mortality reduction and assess the feasibility of global measles eradication. Strong collaboration by all key stakeholders will be invaluable.