Editor’s Note: Right now, the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign is raising funds and awareness to “stop the spots,” a reference to measles, one of the leading causes of death for children under 5. To support the effort, click here, and to learn more, read on!
1. Measles is one of the most contagious and deadliest killers of children under the age of five.
2. Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other disease.
3. Immunization campaigns have a real impact. Since the year 2000, more than 1 billion children in high-risk countries have been vaccinated against the disease.
4. The United Nations Foundation is a proud member of the Measles & Rubella Initiative (MRI) which is focused on reducing global measles mortality by 95% by year 2015. All donations made to the Shot@Life Stop the Spots campaign will directly support MRI’s work in developing countries.
5. It only costs $1 to provide a measles vaccine to a child.
Photo credit: Stuart Ramson