The Regional Conmdttee,
Having exandned with i n t e r e s t the documentL on tne Public Health Aspects of Measles i n the Eastern Mediterranean Region, presented by the Regional Director, par t icular ly i n respect of ( A ) epidemiological aspects and (B) vaccination;
Considering that measles is one of t he most important diseases of childhood with high morbidity r a t e and s ignif icant death ra te ;
Noting the new developments i n vaccin8tion;
1. URGES the Governments of the Region t o give due consideration t o b io s t a t i s t i o s so t h a t re l i ab le information could be made available on the spread of the disease, and death resul t ing from this disease and i t s complications;
2. RECOMGND.3 that no large soale use of measles vaccine be undertaken a t t he present t ime , without careful consideration and preparation, including plans for step-by-step progression;
3. FIEQUESTS the Regional Mrec tor t o provide technical assistance t o Governments, on request, i n organizing l imited measles vaccination t r i a l s p r io r t o large scale campaigns;
4. F U R m q RECOEMEhW the continuation of research f o r a more attenuated measles s t r a i n giving low reaction ra tes , but conferring adequate protection a s well a s the se t t ing up of standards fo r control of safety and potenoy.
October 1964