The ethical case for global measles eradication—justice and the Rule of Rescue

Durrheim, David N; Andrus, Jon K

Measles causes a substantial disease burden for all countries, while mortality is greatest in underserved, marginalized populations. Global measles eradication is feasible and the strategies critically rely upon well-functioning national immunisation programs and surveillance systems. All six regions of the World Health Organisation have adopted measles elimination targets. The Rule of Rescue and the principle of justice leave no ethical place for health programs, governments, global public health bodies or donors to hide if they impede efforts to eradicate measles globally by not taking all necessary actions to establish a global eradication target and committing the resources essential to achieve this goal.