Measles and rubella elimination in the WHO Region for Europe: progress and challenges.

Monday, 30th of January 2017

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2017 Jan 19. pii: S1198-743X(17)30008-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.01.003. [Epub ahead of print]

Measles and rubella elimination in the WHO Region for Europe: progress and challenges.

OConnor P¹ Jankovic D² Muscat M² Ben Mamou M² Reef S³ Papania M³ Singh S² Kaloumenos T² Butler R² Datta S².

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Abstract

Globally measles remains one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available. The World Health Organization (WHO) European Region has seen a decline in measles and rubella cases in recent years. The recent outbreaks have primarily affected adolescents and young adults with no vaccination or an incomplete vaccination history. Eliminating measles and rubella is one of the top immunization priorities of the European Region as outlined in the European Vaccine Action Plan 2015-2020. Following the 2010 decision by the Member States in the Region to initiate the process of verifying elimination the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (RVC) was established in 2011. The RVC meets every year to evaluate the status of measles and rubella elimination in the Region based on documentation submitted by each countrys National Verification Committees. The verification process was however modified in late 2014 to assess the elimination status at the individual country level instead of at regional level. The WHO European Region has made substantial progress towards measles and rubella elimination over the past five years. The RVCs conclusion in 2016 that 70% and 66% of the 53 Member States in the Region had interrupted the endemic transmission of measles and rubella respectively by 2015 is a testament to this progress. Nevertheless where measles and rubella remain endemic challenges in vaccination service delivery and disease surveillance will need to be addressed through focused technical assistance from WHO and development partners.

Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.