Global Measles and Rubella

Updated November 23, 2022

Measles and rubella are vaccine-preventable diseases, yet measles still claims an estimated 351 lives (mostly children) worldwide each day, and rubella is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable birth defects.

A male nurse carries vaccines and supplies along a jungle trail in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In June 2022, a nurse transports vaccines from Kisangani to Biaro, a remote village on the banks of the Congo River in Tshopo province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The 43-kilometer journey takes two hours on a motorbike followed by three hours on foot, and even involves navigating some parts of the river via canoe.

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A mother with an infant and small child watches as 2 female healthcare workers conduct a routine immunization session.

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