Nepal Achieves Rubella Elimination, a Major Public Health Victory

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nepal has successfully eliminated rubella as a public health concern, marking a significant accomplishment in the nation’s ongoing efforts to safeguard its population from preventable diseases. Rubella, also known as German measles, is a highly contagious viral illness that poses particular risks to pregnant women, potentially leading to miscarriages, stillbirths, or severe lifelong birth defects in their offspring. Fortunately, the disease can be prevented through the administration of safe and cost-effective vaccines.

The World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Region, through its Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination (SEA-RVC), has officially endorsed Nepal’s achievement. This recognition follows a thorough review of data submitted by Nepal’s national verification committee, which detailed the country’s disease surveillance and immunization coverage rates for measles and rubella. The SEA-RVC’s annual meeting, held from July 22-24, 2025, concluded with the recommendation to verify Nepal’s elimination status. Nepal is now the sixth country within the WHO South-East Asia Region to reach this milestone. The broader regional objective for the elimination of measles and control of rubella as public health problems was initially set for 2020, then revised to 2023, and subsequently extended to 2026 due to challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Other countries in the region that have achieved rubella elimination include Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste. Several of these nations, along with Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, and Timor-Leste, have also eliminated measles.

The success in Nepal is attributed to a robust national immunization program, which was further bolstered by the introduction of the rubella-containing vaccine in 2012, accompanied by a nationwide campaign targeting individuals aged nine months to 15 years. A crucial second dose of this vaccine was integrated into the routine immunization schedule in 2016. Nepal has conducted four national rubella vaccination campaigns in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024. These campaigns have been instrumental in expanding vaccine access, even amidst significant public health challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquakes that struck in 2015 and 2023. By 2024, Nepal reported a rubella vaccine coverage rate exceeding 95% for at least one dose. Innovative strategies, including the observation of “immunization month,” outreach programs to vaccinate children who had missed earlier opportunities, and district-level recognition for achieving full immunization, have also played a significant role in driving these elimination efforts. Furthermore, Nepal has recently implemented a comprehensive laboratory testing algorithm to enhance disease surveillance, a pioneering move within the WHO South-East Asia Region.

This elimination of rubella signifies a substantial public health victory for Nepal, underscoring the effectiveness of its immunization programs and the dedication of its healthcare workers and communities. The achievement also highlights the critical role of international partnerships in achieving significant health outcomes. Residents of Nepal can now benefit from a reduced risk of rubella-related complications, particularly for pregnant women and their unborn children.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the World Health Organization.

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