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Rachel V Thomas

Thailand Eliminates Rubella: How This Vaccine-Preventable Virus Causes Birth Defects

Thailand has become the seventh country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve <span>rubella elimination</span>, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

It joins Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste. 

“The World Health Organization announced that Thailand has been verified for eliminating <span>rubella</span> as a public health problem, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to protect children, women and families from vaccine-preventable diseases,” WHO said.

<h2>Thailand’s Long Road To Rubella Elimination</h2>

Thailand launched its Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1977 and introduced a rubella-containing vaccine for girls aged six in 1986. The programme expanded to all one-year-old children in 1993.

Since then, Thailand has strengthened routine immunisation, outbreak response and surveillance, with a focus on underserved and mobile populations.

The programme focused on reaching underserved and mobile populations, rapidly investigating suspected measles and rubella cases through fever-and-rash surveillance, and maintaining laboratory-supported surveillance to detect and respond to virus transmission.

The South-East Asia Regional Verification Commission (SEA-RVC) reviewed Thailand’s surveillance, immunisation, outbreak response and programme data in June 2026, followed by a verification visit in July.

The Commission recommended Thailand for rubella elimination verification. Elimination means no endemic transmission for at least 12 months, supported by a high-performing surveillance system.

 The WHO verification also confirmed that Thailand has systems in place to sustain this achievement.

“This verification is a proud moment for Thailand and a tribute to decades of commitment by our health workers, volunteers, partners and communities. By eliminating rubella, Thailand has protected newborns from preventable lifelong disabilities and reaffirmed its commitment to equitable health services for every child and family. We will sustain this gain and intensify efforts towards measles elimination,” said H.E. Mr Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health, Thailand.

<h2>What Is Rubella And Why Is It Dangerous During Pregnancy?</h2>

Rubella, also known as German measles, is a contagious viral infection spread through droplets from coughs and sneezes. Symptoms are usually mild and may include fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.

However, infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or <span>congenital rubella syndrome</span> (CRS), which can lead to lifelong <span>birth defects</span>. The risk is greatest when infection occurs early in pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester.

“Rubella is a terrible disease. It looks like measles, but in pregnant moms it causes spontaneous abortion and stillbirth. Babies born with congenital rubella syndrome have profound disabilities. Rubella elimination everywhere is a huge public health win,” said Dr Angela.

CRS can cause lifelong hearing and vision impairment, heart defects and developmental delays.

Before widespread vaccination, rubella was a leading cause of preventable congenital disabilities worldwide, according to WHO.

<h2>How Does The Rubella Vaccine Prevent It?</h2>

Rubella can be prevented with safe, effective and affordable vaccines.

WHO estimates that rubella causes around 100,000 infants to be born with CRS each year worldwide.

Despite vaccine availability, an estimated 17,865 rubella cases were reported in 78 countries in 2022.

The rubella vaccine contains a live attenuated strain, and a single dose provides more than 95% long-lasting immunity, similar to the immunity induced by natural infection. It is available alone or, more commonly, in combination vaccines such as MR, MMR and MMRV.

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Thailand has become the seventh country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve rubella elimination, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.It joins Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste. “The World Health Organization announced that Thailand has been verified for eliminating rubella as a public health problem, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to protect children, women and families from vaccine-preventable diseases,” WHO said.Thailand’s Long Road To Rubella EliminationThailand launched its Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1977 and introduced a rubella-containing vaccine for girls aged six in 1986. The programme expanded to all one-year-old children in 1993.Since then, Thailand has strengthened routine immunisation, outbreak response and surveillance, with a focus on underserved and mobile populations.The programme focused on reaching underserved and mobile populations, rapidly investigating suspected measles and rubella cases through fever-and-rash surveillance, and maintaining laboratory-supported surveillance to detect and respond to virus transmission.The South-East Asia Regional Verification Commission (SEA-RVC) reviewed Thailand’s surveillance, immunisation, outbreak response and programme data in June 2026, followed by a verification visit in July.The Commission recommended Thailand for rubella elimination verification. Elimination means no endemic transmission for at least 12 months, supported by a high-performing surveillance system. The WHO verification also confirmed that Thailand has systems in place to sustain this achievement.“This verification is a proud moment for Thailand and a tribute to decades of commitment by our health workers, volunteers, partners and communities. By eliminating rubella, Thailand has protected newborns from preventable lifelong disabilities and reaffirmed its commitment to equitable health services for every child and family. We will sustain this gain and intensify efforts towards measles elimination,” said H.E. Mr Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health, Thailand. What Is Rubella And Why Is It Dangerous During Pregnancy?Rubella, also known as German measles, is a contagious viral infection spread through droplets from coughs and sneezes. Symptoms are usually mild and may include fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.However, infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which can lead to lifelong birth defects. The risk is greatest when infection occurs early in pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester.“Rubella is a terrible disease. It looks like measles, but in pregnant moms it causes spontaneous abortion and stillbirth. Babies born with congenital rubella syndrome have profound disabilities. Rubella elimination everywhere is a huge public health win,” said Dr Angela.CRS can cause lifelong hearing and vision impairment, heart defects and developmental delays.Before widespread vaccination, rubella was a leading cause of preventable congenital disabilities worldwide, according to WHO.How Does The Rubella Vaccine Prevent It?Rubella can be prevented with safe, effective and affordable vaccines.WHO estimates that rubella causes around 100,000 infants to be born with CRS each year worldwide.Despite vaccine availability, an estimated 17,865 rubella cases were reported in 78 countries in 2022.The rubella vaccine contains a live attenuated strain, and a single dose provides more than 95% long-lasting immunity, similar to the immunity induced by natural infection. It is available alone or, more commonly, in combination vaccines such as MR, MMR and MMRV.

thailand eliminates rubella: how this vaccine-preventable virus causes birth defects

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Thailand Eliminates Rubella: How This Vaccine-Preventable Virus Causes Birth Defects

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