WHO announces elimination of rubella in Nepal

Kathamndu, Aug.19: The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem, a remarkable achievement for a country making concerted efforts to protect its people from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Rubella, or German measles, is a highly contagious viral infection. It is particularly serious for pregnant women as infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or a range of lifelong and debilitating birth defects. But rubella is preventable with safe and cost-effective vaccines.

In a press release by WHO on August 18, Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-In-Charge WHO South-East Asia, while endorsing the recommendation of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination in South-East Asia Region (SEA-RVC) for Nepal to be verified for eliminating rubella, said, “Nepal’s success reflects the unwavering commitment of its leadership, persistent efforts of the health care workers and volunteers, and unstinting support of engaged and informed communities, for a healthy start for babies and a future free of rubella disease,” said 

And I call upon all stakeholders to continue their unwavering support so that no child in Nepal has to suffer from a vaccine-preventable disease,” said Pradip Paudel, Minister of Health and Population (MoHP).

Nepal introduced the rubella-containing vaccine in its immunization programme in 2012 with a nationwide campaign for age group 9 months to 15 years. A second dose of rubella-containing vaccine was added to the routine immunization schedule in 2016.