After Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste, Nepal has been verified as rubella-free by WHO. This marks a milestone in eliminating measles and rubella in the WHO South-East Asia Region by 2026.

As a historic public health achievement, WHO has verified Nepal for rubella elimination, making it part of the list of select countries in the region.
By December 2021, five countries – Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste – had ensured elimination of measles. In addition, Maldives and Sri Lanka maintained their rubella elimination status in 2021.
WHO South-East Asia Region has doubled efforts to eliminate measles and rubella by 2026. At the 10th meeting of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination, significant progress was announced.

Rubella elimination in Nepal

In 2012, rubella-containing vaccine was introduced through a nationwide campaign targeting children aged 9 months to 15 years. By 2024, Nepal had achieved more than 95% coverage with at least one dose of rubella vaccine, sufficient to build herd immunity.
On the surveillance front, Nepal initiated laboratory-supported, case-based rubella surveillance in 2004 and congenital rubella syndrome surveillance in 2014, consistently surpassing elimination standard performance targets.

Rubella or German measles

M-R is a contagious viral disease that primarily affects children. The measles virus belongs to the Morbillivirus genus, an RNA virus, and can cause severe complications including death.
It is an infectious viral infection that is usually mild in children and adults but, when occurring during pregnancy, can cause serious complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth or lifelong congenital defects.

Efforts of the Government of India

Under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), the Central Government launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign (2025-26) during World Immunization Week (24–30 April).
Its goal is to eliminate measles and rubella (M-R) in India by 2026 through 100% immunization coverage. India received the M-R Champion Award (2024) from the M-R Partnership for its pioneering efforts in disease elimination.
As of 2024-25, India’s M-R vaccination coverage under UIP, with respect to two doses of M-R vaccine provided, is over 90%. In 2024, compared to 2023, measles cases decreased by 73% and rubella cases by 17%.

Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&R Initiative)

Launched in 2001, the M&R Initiative is a global partnership led by the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF and WHO.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, was established in 1948. Its headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.
Currently, 194 countries are members of WHO. With offices in 150 countries, it also has six regional offices.
India became a member of WHO on 12 January 1948. The regional office for WHO South-East Asia is located in New Delhi.
Through coordinated efforts of WHO and the Government of India, smallpox was eradicated in 1977 and polio in 2014.