Re-verifying the elimination of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Canada, 2016–2020

Abstract

Elimination, in the context of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), refers to the absence of endemic measles/rubella virus transmission in a region or other defined geographic area for at least 12 months, in the presence of a high-quality surveillance system that meets targets of key performance indicators. In 1994, Canada and other countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) region of the Americas committed to the objectives of measles elimination by 2000 and rubella and CRS by 2010. Canada met these targets: eliminating measles transmission in 1998; rubella transmission in 2005; and endemically-acquired CRS in 2000. The WHO region of Americas was declared free of endemic rubella/CRS in 2015 and endemic measles in 2016. At the request of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Canada’s elimination status of measles, rubella and CRS was verified in 2012 and again in 2017. Prior to submission to PAHO, the verification reports were reviewed, approved and endorsed by Canada’s National Certification Committee (NCC). The NCC is a group of experts who are not directly involved with the management of vaccine preventable diseases or immunization program implementation at the national level, but who have the expertise to assist in ensuring that Canada is meeting PAHO’S goals of elimination and eradication. Members are responsible for reviewing Canada’s current mechanisms of surveillance and progress towards elimination of targeted vaccine preventable diseases in Canada. Members have expertise in the fields of public health, infectious diseases and/or laboratory sciences.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported 12-month pneumococcal vaccination series completion rates in Canada

“…In the past two decades, routine childhood immunization has successfully cut pediatric deaths and placed Canada on the elimination journey for VPDs such as measles, rubella, and polio. 5 That was due to the equitable access to childhood vaccines achieved through the publicly funded immunization programs. 6 However, VPDs have been increasing in the last decade, with 20.7 cases per 100,000 population from 2013, with Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) accounting for more cases (44%) and mainly among children less than one year of age (92.4 cases per 100,000 population).…”