• Laura Zimmerman, Justyna Rogalska, Kathleen A Wannemuehler, Marzena Haponiuk, Adam Kosek, Ewa Pauch, Elzbieta Plonska, Daniel Veltze, Miroslaw P Czarkowski, Nilesh Buddh, Susan Reef, and Pawel Stefanoff.
• Global Immunization Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. laz5@cdc.gov
• J. Infect. Dis. 2011 Jul 1; 204 Suppl 1: S389-95.

BackgroundAll Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region have endorsed rubella elimination and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) prevention. However, Poland has continued high levels of reported rubella.MethodsWe reviewed rubella incidence in Poland since 1966 and analyzed national aggregated surveillance data from the period 2003-2008 and case-based data from 4 provinces from the period 2006-2008. We described CRS cases since 1997 and assessed maternal receipt of vaccine. We reviewed national vaccination coverage from 1992 through 2008.ResultsSince 1966, rubella outbreaks have occurred every 4-6 years in Poland. Aggregate and case-based data from the period 2003-2008 indicate that rubella virus transmission has occurred across wide age ranges (from <1 year to 60 years), with disproportionately higher percentage of cases among adolescent boys. Of 18 children with reported CRS cases from 1997 through 2008, 15 (83%) of their mothers had not been vaccinated. Measles-mumps-rubella dose 1 vaccination coverage ranged from 97% to 99%.ConclusionsPoland had the highest incidence of rubella in the WHO European Region in 2007 and 2008. Rubella occurs predominantly in age and sex cohorts historically not included in vaccination recommendations. The risk for CRS continues. To achieve rubella elimination, supplemental immunization activities among adolescent boys are needed, as is integration with measles elimination efforts.Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2011.

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