Tenth meeting of the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination: summary of virtual sessions held on 6 October 2021, 2 November 2021, 8 December 2021 and 16 February 2022

Overview

The 10th meeting of the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (‎RVC)‎ took place online over four sessions on 6 October, 2 November, 8 December 2021 and 16 February 2022 to review the 2020 annual status updates (‎ASUs)‎ from Member States. The RVC evaluated 43 national ASUs for 2020 submitted by national verification committees (‎NVCs)‎ by 16 February 2022. The RVC concluded that, by the end of 2020, 29 Member States had provided evidence to demonstrate that endemic transmission of measles was interrupted for at least 36 months and verified as eliminated. Similarly, endemic rubella transmission was interrupted in 41 Member States for at least 36 months and verified as eliminated. Due to large measles outbreaks in 2018 – 2019, measles transmission was considered to have been re-established in five countries that had previously achieved measles elimination status. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the customary annual RVC meeting was delayed and could not be held face to face, but the objectives of the annual meeting were met through the series of virtual meetings and teleconferences.