During the course of European Immunisation Week (EIW), 24 – 30 April 2016, ECDC is putting the spotlight on its resources in support of measles and rubella elimination. These range from disease surveillance and epidemic intelligence to communication tools and guides on awareness raising about the importance of vaccination, as well as the vaccination scheduler tool.
European Immunization Week (EIW) is celebrated across the European Region every April. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of immunization for people’s health and well-being. Activities in 2016 focused on the progress and challenges in the Region’s concerted effort to eliminate measles and rubella.
If a woman gets rubella shortly before getting pregnant or during the first three months of pregnancy, it is very likely to result in miscarriage or congenital anomalies known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 15-21 November 2015 and includes updates on Zika virus, MERS and Ebola virus disease.
The peer-review visits identified some common good practices as well as a large degree of similarity in the challenges faced in preparing for possible Ebola cases.
Measles and rubella are targeted for elimination in Europe by 2015. ECDC closely monitors progress towards interruption of endemic transmission of both diseases through enhanced surveillance and epidemic intelligence.
Results from a recent vaccine trial, conducted by collaborating health authorities, possibly represent a major breakthrough in the control of Ebola virus disease.