Rubella in Denmark

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Rubella incidence in Denmark averaged 20,000 cases annually until 1987.
• Reported cases dramatically decreased to 1006 in 1989, with current incidence <1 per 100,000 population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of rubella vaccination programs in Denmark.
• To evaluate the sustainability of low rubella incidence and consider future control measures.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of historical rubella case data in Denmark.
• Review of vaccination policies and introduction of the MMR vaccine.
• Examination of notifiable disease status for congenital rubella syndrome and rubella in pregnancy.

Main Results:

• Rubella vaccination of women of childbearing age (initiated 1980) and children (refunded from 1982) led to a significant incidence decrease.
• Introduction of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1987 further contributed to sustained low incidence.
• Congenital rubella syndrome and rubella in pregnancy became notifiable diseases in 1994.

Conclusions:

• Denmark's vaccination strategies have been highly successful in reducing rubella incidence.
• Consideration of mandatory reporting for laboratory-diagnosed rubella cases is underway to meet WHO control goals.