evidence: "Anytime there’s measles in a community, it is a threat. Even countries that have achieved elimination can’t relax. They have to maintain high coverage of measles vaccination and strong systems for picking up cases that get imported through international travel. Without this, measles transmission can become re-established," says Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. If measles is imported into communities where vaccination coverage is below 95%, the risk of outbreaks increases. Countries and areas in the Western Pacific are working hard to close immunity gaps. [...] "The Western Pacific must not forget the bitter lessons we have learned from previous measles resurgences in the Region," says Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala. "Countries must keep working to reach every child with lifesaving vaccines, strengthen surveillance systems, encourage health workers to stay vigilant and educate people about the importance of checking that their vaccinations are up-to-date so we can avoid a resurgence in the future."