MECACAR
Encyclopedia
Operation MECACAR is a multi-national immunization
program launched in 1995 by the World Health Organization
to coordinate polio vaccination efforts (currently it is also used to coordinated measles
and rubella
vaccination efforts). The name of the operation was derived from the names of the regions participating in the operation: Eastern Mediterranean
, Caucasus
, Central Asian Republics and Russia
. Currently, 18 countries are participating and more than 60 million children have been vaccinated.
was declared polio-free in 2001, MECACAR's objectives became maintaining polio-free status in the region and also achieve measles
and rubella
elimination.
On May 17, 2007, the MECACAR New Millennium declaration was signed. The event took place in Geneva
.
Immunization
Immunization, or immunisation, is the process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an agent ....
program launched in 1995 by the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
to coordinate polio vaccination efforts (currently it is also used to coordinated measles
Measles
Measles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
and rubella
Rubella
Rubella, commonly known as German measles, is a disease caused by the rubella virus. The name "rubella" is derived from the Latin, meaning little red. Rubella is also known as German measles because the disease was first described by German physicians in the mid-eighteenth century. This disease is...
vaccination efforts). The name of the operation was derived from the names of the regions participating in the operation: Eastern Mediterranean
Eastern Mediterranean
The Eastern Mediterranean is a term that denotes the countries geographically to the east of the Mediterranean Sea. This region is also known as Greater Syria or the Levant....
, Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
, Central Asian Republics and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Currently, 18 countries are participating and more than 60 million children have been vaccinated.
Concept
The operation was launched to "maximize the geographic area covered and the number of children targeted simultaneously for mass vaccination with OPV". It introduced "National Immunization Days", held at the same dates in bordering member countries; and also coordinated the efforts of different laboratories.MECACAR New Millennium
After EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
was declared polio-free in 2001, MECACAR's objectives became maintaining polio-free status in the region and also achieve measles
Measles
Measles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus, specifically a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus. Morbilliviruses, like other paramyxoviruses, are enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses...
and rubella
Rubella
Rubella, commonly known as German measles, is a disease caused by the rubella virus. The name "rubella" is derived from the Latin, meaning little red. Rubella is also known as German measles because the disease was first described by German physicians in the mid-eighteenth century. This disease is...
elimination.
On May 17, 2007, the MECACAR New Millennium declaration was signed. The event took place in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
.