KATHMANDU, Aug 18: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday announced that Nepal has eliminated rubella, a public health problem in the country. With this, Nepal becomes the sixth country in the South-East Asia region to eliminate rubella.
WHO stated that this remarkable achievement was made possible through sustained and robust efforts in vaccine services against preventable diseases. Rubella, also called German measles, is a highly contagious disease caused by the rubella virus, which appears similar to measles.
This disease can cause serious complications, especially in pregnant women. It can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or lifelong disabilities in children. However, rubella can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.
“This success achieved by Nepal is the result of strong commitment from leadership, dedication of health workers, continuous support from female community health volunteers, and the interest and cooperation of the general public regarding health. This achievement ensures a healthy start for infants and a rubella-free future,” said Dr Katharina Bohm, Acting Head of WHO South-East Asia Regional Office.
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She confirmed rubella elimination in Nepal by approving the recommendation of the Regional Verification Commission for the elimination of measles and rubella in the South-East Asia region.
The annual meeting of the Regional Verification Commission, held from July 22 to 24, reviewed and evaluated the data and details on disease surveillance and vaccine coverage presented by Nepal’s National Certification Committee and recommended certification of rubella elimination.
Regarding the goal of eliminating measles and rubella as a public health problem by 2026, Bhutan, North Korea, Maldives, and Timor-Leste have already eliminated measles. Bhutan, North Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and now Nepal have successfully eliminated rubella.
“Nepal’s elimination of rubella ahead of the regional target is further evidence of the success of the national immunization program, which has been a strong pillar of our health system,” said Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel, “We express gratitude for the continuous support provided by GAVI and WHO to Nepal’s immunization program and overall health sector. I sincerely thank and congratulate all leaders, health workers, female community health volunteers, public representatives, and communities who contributed to this achievement.”
He also urged all stakeholders to continue supporting the goal that no child suffers from preventable diseases. Nepal included rubella vaccine in the national immunization program in 2012 through a nationwide campaign targeting children aged 9 months to 15 years. In 2016, the second dose of the rubella vaccine was added to the national immunization schedule.
Despite health emergencies such as the 2015 and 2023 earthquakes and COVID-19, rubella vaccination campaigns conducted nationwide in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 played a key role in increasing access to life-saving vaccines, according to WHO.
By 2024, Nepal had successfully delivered the first dose of rubella vaccine to more than 95 percent of children.
Every year, the month of Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May) is observed as ‘Vaccine Month,’ and the ‘Search and Vaccinate’ campaign targeted children who missed regular vaccinations.
To further strengthen disease surveillance, Nepal recently implemented a robust laboratory testing system, the first of its kind in the South-East Asia region.
“Congratulations to Nepal for successfully eliminating rubella,” said Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, Head of WHO Country Office in Nepal, “This significant public health achievement is the result of strong and effective collaboration among the government, health workers, partner organizations, and the community. WHO takes pride in contributing to this journey and reaffirms its commitment to continuously support Nepal in sustaining this achievement for the long term.”
