Eliminating measles and rubella and preventing congenital rubella infection

Immunization saves lives, so strengthening national immunization systems is an important goal in the WHO European Region. The WHO Regional Office for Europe launched a strategic plan in 2002 to eliminate measles and prevent congenital rubella infection, and in 2005 expanded it to include the elimination of rubella as well. This report charts the considerable progress made since 2002:. - all 52 Member States now have routine two-dose measles immunization schedules;. - 26 (50%) have achieved a measles incidence of under 1 per million population, one indicator of measles elimination;. - 48 (92%).