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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Ana Elena Chevez, MD MPH, Department of Global Health. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University. Atlanta, Georgia, 1518 Clifton Road NE, 7th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404-251-9532, aechevez@yahoo.com

Background: In 1996 the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine became available in El Salvador. Since then, children have been routinely vaccinated. However, by 2003 a research done in two major hospitals, detected 66 unreported cases of Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). This same year, the Ministry of Health of El Salvador designed the 2010 Rubella and CRS Elimination Plan.

Objectives: 1) Evaluation of the progress of the Rubella and CRS Elimination Plan in El Salvador 2) Description of the current Rubella and CRS epidemiologic situation.

Methods: Standard forms were developed to collect information on reportable cases of Rubella and CRS. A database was developed using CDC's EpiInfo software. Methods were developed to merge information across all data sources including immunization coverage by municipalities.

Results: Since the launch of the 2010 Rubella and CRS Elimination Plan a five week campaign was held in 2004 and 42% of the total population was vaccinated (2,796,391 people). Over 90% of children under five are routinely vaccinated with two doses of MMR. All CRS suspicious cases were investigated and all of have been discarded.

Conclusions: Rubella and CRS elimination by the year 2010 is a reachable goal in El Salvador.

Learning Objectives:

• Compare and contrast various approaches to the prevention of rubella and CRS
• Appreciate the lessons learned in the rubella elimination process in a developing country.

Keywords: Rubella, Immunizations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation