SAGE RECOMMENDATIONS ON MEASLES/RUBELLA ELIMINATION, 2013

Tuesday, 15th of October 2013

[source]Weekly Epidemiological Record[|source]

By the end of November, three GAVI eligible sub-Saharan African country will start using this product in their routine immunization program. The MR vaccine introduction campaigns in the three countries will all target children 9 months to 14 years and therefore contribute greatly to progress toward measles elimination goals. Although Rubella elimination goals not yet set by the WHO African Region, I now know that wesoon we shall have countries in the block that will demonstrate the advantages of using MR vaccines in a supplemental immunization campaign launching the product into their routine program. It’s an opportunity and indeed a field testing of the SAGE recommendations on use of this vaccine combination. This is a dedication to Rwanda, Ghana and Senegal that will introduce MR vaccines in 2013. More details available at: http://www.who.int/wer/2013/wer8801.pdf

ABSTRACT

SAGE commended countries and Regions for the remarkable progress made in reducing measles mortality globally during the last 3 decades, contributing significantly to the 4th Millennium Development Goal.

This progress would not have been possible without country commitment and the support of many partners. AMR has achieved elimination of both measles and rubella and the WPR is approaching interruption of endemic measles transmission. In addition, the number of countries using rubella vaccine in their routine childhood immunization programme has been steadily increasing. However, despite this progress, a careful assessment of the comprehensive reports presented indicates that based on current trends and programme performance, the 2015 global targets as well as Regional elimination targets in EUR (2015), EMR (2015) and AFR (2020) will not be achieved on time.

SAGE urged countries and partners to raise the visibility of measles and rubella elimination activities and to ensure that they receive adequate priority and resources as a central component of the GVAP.