Progress Toward Rubella Elimination - World Health Organization South-East Asia Region, 2013-2021

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023 Jun 23;72(25):678-682. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7225a2.

Abstract

During 2013, the 11 countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region* (SEAR) adopted the goals of measles elimination and rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) control by 2020. During 2019, SEAR countries declared a broader goal for eliminating both measles and rubella§ by 2023 (1). Before 2013, only five SEAR countries had introduced rubella-containing vaccine (RCV). This report updates a previous report and describes progress toward rubella elimination in SEAR during 2013-2021 (2). During 2013-2021, six SEAR countries introduced RCV; all countries in the Region now use RCV in routine immunization. Routine immunization coverage with the first dose of a rubella-containing vaccine (RCV1) increased >600%, from 12% during 2013 to 86% during 2021, and an estimated 515 million persons were vaccinated via RCV supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) during 2013-2021. During this time, annual reported rubella incidence declined by 80%, from 5.5 to 1.1 cases per million population. Maldives and Sri Lanka are verified as having achieved rubella elimination; Bhutan, North Korea, and Timor-Leste have halted endemic transmission of rubella virus for >36 months. SEAR has made substantial progress toward rubella elimination; however, intensified measures are needed to achieve elimination.

MeSH terms

  • Asia, Eastern
  • Disease Eradication
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs
  • Population Surveillance
  • Rubella Syndrome, Congenital* / epidemiology
  • Rubella Syndrome, Congenital* / prevention & control
  • Rubella Vaccine* / administration & dosage
  • Rubella* / epidemiology
  • Rubella* / prevention & control
  • World Health Organization

Substances

  • Rubella Vaccine