UK measles and rubella elimination strategy published

A new measles and rubella elimination strategy developed by PHE and supported by partners across the NHS, including Health Protection Scotland has been published.

The document makes recommendations on the steps needed to maintain the UK’s elimination status for measles and rubella for future generations and focuses on 4 core components:

• achieve and sustain ≥ 95% coverage in the routine childhood programme
• achieve ≥ 95% coverage with 2 doses of MMR vaccine in older age cohorts through opportunistic and targeted catch-up.
• strengthen measles and rubella surveillance
• ensure easy access to high-quality, evidence-based information

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed that the UK eliminated rubella in 2015 and measles in 2016. Elimination means that measles and rubella are no longer native to the UK. It does not mean that these diseases have been completely eradicated. Measles and rubella remain endemic in many countries around the world and with recent large measles outbreaks across Europe, imported infections pose a very real threat to the UK’s achievements.

The Travax team have recently revised the measles, mumps and rubella pages on both Travax and fitfortravel websites.

For Travax users this advice should assist during the travel consultation when assessing the travellers vaccination status,and if mmr vaccination is required.