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Toward rubella elimination in Europe: An epidemiological assessmentArchived

ECDC comment

​The goal of eliminating rubella and preventing CRS by 2015 could be achieved and maintained adopting a comprehensive approach to ensure high vaccination coverage.

Muscat M, Zimmerman L, Bacci S, Bang H, Glismann S, Mølbak K, Reef S; the EUVAC.NET group. Vaccine. 2012 Mar 2;30(11):1999-2007. Epub 2011 Dec 14.

The overall decline in rubella incidence and increase in the number of countries conducting rubella surveillance through a mandatory notification system suggests progress is being made.

However, the fulfilment of the measles and rubella elimination goal will require an increased awareness and commitment by decision makers and public health authorities in all European countries to strengthen the MMR vaccination programmes and surveillance.

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Rubella revisited: Where are we on the road to disease elimination in Central Europe?Archived

10 Nov 2011 - Elimination of rubella and prevention of congenital rubella infection in Europe has been a high priority for the WHO European Regional Office over the past decade. In 2010 the WHO regional committee for Europe renewed its commitment to the elimination of rubella and prevention of CRS with a new target of 2015. For Central Europe to reach the target of rubella elimination and prevention of CRS by 2015, very high vaccine coverage levels need to be maintained and catch-up campaigns continued to address susceptible groups, in particular women of child-bearing age. 

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