Rubella during pregnancy often results in severe congenital abnormalities. Fortunately, the rubella vaccine has successfully eliminated rubella from the entire Western Hemisphere and Scandinavia. However, rubella continues to occur in much of Europe, in Asia and in Africa, and the WHO estimates that over 100,000 infants are born each year with congenital rubella syndrome. The Sabin Vaccine Institute, together with the March of Dimes, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is undertaking a series of advocacy activities to promote vaccination against rubella throughout the world.
Surprisingly, a significant part of the problem lies in Europe, where both measles and rubella continue to occur.
Over 150 people from 47 countries came together in Rome, Italy to review the latest developments in the fight against rubella and CRS in Europe. Approved presentations from the symposium are available now and a comprehensive proceedings is in production.
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