Fourth annual meeting of the Measles and Rubella Elimination Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission. 4–6 November 2024 (virtual)

Abstract

The Fourth Annual Meeting of the Measles and Rubella Elimination Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission (RVC) took place virtually in Lima, Peru, from November 4-6, 2024. This meeting provided a platform for the Member States of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to update the Commission on their progress in implementing previous recommendations aimed at sustaining elimination gains, according to the published Regional Framework. During the meeting, the Commission assessed the sustainability of efforts following the closure of outbreaks in Brazil and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The last endemic measles cases were recorded on June 5, 2022, in Brazil, and on August 11, 2019, in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Consequently, the Americas have regained its status as a region free of endemic measles, a milestone first achieved in 2016. Moreover, all countries remained free of endemic rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, marking a significant achievement in the history of immunization in the Americas. However, ongoing importations will continue to challenge the health systems of countries of the Americas until global eradication is achieved. This post-recovery period presents an opportunity to bridge gaps toward sustaining measles and rubella elimination in the Americas. To that end, the Commission endorsed the findings and recommendations of the respective National Sustainability Committees. Specific recommendations to enhance surveillance, population immunity, and rapid response were officially delivered to national health authorities. Finally, the Commission presented an update on the classification of countries regarding the sustainability of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) elimination.