KATHMANDU:- Nepal has been successful in eliminating rubella. Issuing a press release, the World Health Organisation, Nepal, on Monday, made this announcement.
The organisation announced that Nepal made 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. “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 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.
Nepal is the sixth country in South-East Asia to achieve rubella elimination. Nepal introduced the rubella-containing vaccine in its immunization programme in 2012 with a nationwide campaign for the age group 9 months to 15 years. By 2024, Nepal achieved over 95% coverage for at least one dose of rubella vaccine. Congratulating Nepal for eliminating rubella, Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, said, “This public health achievement is the result of close collaboration between the government, dedicated health workers, partners and communities.
The WHO is proud to have contributed to this journey and remains committed to supporting Nepal to sustain this accomplishment,” reads the statement. Nepal had set a target of eliminating measles and rubella by 2026 BS.