Progress towards measles elimination in Nepal, 2007– 2014

In 2013, during its 66th session, the Regional Committee of the WHO SouthEast Asia Region (SEAR) established a goal to eliminate measles and control rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2020. The recommended measles elimination strategies in SEAR include (1) achieving and maintaining ≥95% coverage with 2 doses of measles containing vaccine (MCV) in every district delivered through routine immunization programme or supplementary immunization activities (SIAs); (2) developing and sustaining a sensitive and timely case based (CB) measles surveillance system that meets the minimum recommended performance indicators; (3) developing and maintaining an accredited measles laboratory network; and

(4) achieving timely identification, investigation, and response to measles outbreaks.