Progress in Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Control and Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2016

During 2000-2016, rubella-containing vaccine was introduced in 53 countries, including 20 introductions after 2012. By December 2016, 152 (78%) of 194 countries were using the vaccine. These introductions and increased rubella vaccine coverage globally resulted in a decrease in reported rubella cases from 670,894 cases in 2000, to 94,277 cases in 2012, to 22,361 cases in 2016. Elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome was verified in the WHO Region of the Americas in 2015, and 33 (62%) of 53 countries in the European Region have now eliminated endemic rubella and congenital rubella syndrome.