Homma A, Possas C, Menezes R and Risi JB
There is a consensus in the scientific community that the global eradication of measles is more difficult than it was for smallpox. In the case of measles, epidemiological, social and programmatic conditions contribute to the complexity of this challenge in diverse national scenarios. In addition, the greater transmissibility of the virus requires almost 100% vaccine coverage for susceptible people. Nevertheless, success in some developing countries, such as Brazil, indicates that measles eradication is technically and operationally feasible, using existing National Vaccination Programs, adequate strategies and society mobilization. We illustrate this argument with the successful Brazilian experience in national eradication strategies, with smallpox and polio eradication and advances in measles eradication (now limited to imported cases), with the support of an adequate infra-structure for vaccine production and immunization in the main public manufacturer, Bio-Manguinhos. The evaluation of the national eradication experiences in developing countries, such as the Brazilian case, can provide, in the Decade of Vaccines (DOV), new insights and alternatives. Increasing the international support to measles eradication, which could be turning it soon into a curiosity of the past?