Sustaining the Elimination of Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome in the Americas, 2019-2023: From Challenges to Opportunities

Authors

Gloria Rey-Benito, Comprehensive Immunization Program, Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Desirée Pastor, Comprehensive Immunization Program, Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Alvaro Whittembury, Comprehensive Immunization Program, Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Regina Durón, Comprehensive Immunization Program, Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Carmelita Pacis-Tirso, Comprehensive Immunization Program, Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Pamela Bravo-Alcántara, Comprehensive Immunization Program, Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Claudia Ortiz, Comprehensive Immunization Program, Pan American Health Organization, 525 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Jon Andrus, Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-20-2024

Journal

Vaccines

Volume

12

Issue

6

DOI

10.3390/vaccines12060690

Keywords

Americas; Pan American Health Organization; epidemiological factors; laboratories; measles; rubella; vaccination coverage

Abstract

This report reviews national data from all Member States on measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) elimination in the Region of the Americas during 2019-2023. It includes an analysis of compliance with vaccination coverage, surveillance indicators, and measles outbreaks, as well as an analysis of the response capacity of the laboratory network and a country case study that meets all indicators. The sources of information were the integrated epidemiological surveillance system for measles and rubella of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint Reporting Form (eJRF), among others. From 2020 to 2022, regional coverage with first (MMR-1) and second doses (MMR-2) decreased to rates below 90%. The regional suspected case notification rate was maintained above the minimum expected 2.0 suspect cases per 100,000 population, except in 2021. During 2019 to 2023, 18 countries experienced outbreaks, with two of the outbreaks resulting in re-established endemic transmission. In conclusion, two countries in the Americas have not maintained measles elimination, but by the end of 2023 no country showed endemic measles transmission. One of the countries that lost its certification of elimination in 2018 managed to be reverified in 2023; the other is pending reverification. All countries maintained rubella elimination. Despite these challenges, the sustainability of the elimination of these diseases remains a health priority in the Region.

APA Citation

Rey-Benito, Gloria; Pastor, Desirée; Whittembury, Alvaro; Durón, Regina; Pacis-Tirso, Carmelita; Bravo-Alcántara, Pamela; Ortiz, Claudia; and Andrus, Jon, "Sustaining the Elimination of Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome in the Americas, 2019-2023: From Challenges to Opportunities" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 5074.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/5074

Department

Global Health