Third Annual Meeting of the RCV of Measles, Rubella and CRS
Dates:
14-16 November 2023
Participants:
Virtually all countries and territories that had submitted annual reports for the period 2021-2023 participated for the Regional Commission's review and face-to-face interaction with the presidents of the sustainability committees and responsible for epidemiological surveillance, laboratory and immunization of Brazil and Venezuela as they were the two countries that had reestablished endemic transmission of measles in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Content:
Between November 14 and 16, 2023, the third meeting of the Regional Commission for Monitoring and Re-verification of the Elimination of Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) of the Americas (RVC) was held in Brasilia, Brazil. The objectives were:
1) to conduct a comprehensive review of annual country reports, during the period 2021-2023, to monitor and re-verify the elimination of measles, rubella and CRS in the Americas;
2) prepare specific recommendations following the annual reviews of the national reports taking into account compliance with the previous recommendations of the RVC; and
3) continue political advocacy at the highest level to maintain the elimination of the measles and rubella virus in the Region. The countries were grouped in 5 categories: verified (Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, English Caribbean, the French Overseas Departments, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, the United States of America and Uruguay), endemic (non country), pending reverification (Brazil), reverified (Venezuela) and indeterminate (Haiti, Honduras, Panama and Peru).
Outcomes:
Specific recommendations where to improve surveillance, increase population immunity and prepare rapid outbreak response by country. The Commission recommended visits to Brazil, Venezuela, Honduras, Panama and Peru in 2024.
It was also strongly recommended that Argentina, Paraguay and the French Overseas Departments make considerable efforts to correct deficiencies in immunity and surveillance. Another recommendation is to use the sensitive case definition of fever and maculopapular rash, as recommended by the PAHO Technical Advisory Group (TAG). Countries were urged to lower the age at which the second dose of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is given to 18 months or when the first DPT booster is given.
Countries carrying out mass vaccination campaigns must achieve 95% of the target in at least 80% of their municipalities or carry out documented mop-up interventions and rapid vaccination monitoring activities in municipalities with the worst results in 2023. PAHO/WHO remains committed to supporting all countries using the tools of risk analysis, micro-planning, high-quality vaccination campaigns and strengthening the routine program, strengthening epidemiological surveillance and rapid response preparation for outbreaks. of measles rubella and CRS.
Author: WHO PAHO
Photo: Regional Commission for Monitoring and Reverification of the Elimination of Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome. Brasilia, Brazil (credits: WHO PAHO)