Rubella in Poland: 2022-2023

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Rubella, a viral illness, poses risks to pregnant women, causing severe congenital defects.
• Poland implemented mandatory rubella vaccination in 1989 for girls and in 2003 for both sexes via the MMR vaccine.
• Poland experienced the highest number of rubella cases in the WHO European Region in 2022-2023.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the epidemiological status of rubella in Poland during 2022-2023.
• To assess vaccination coverage rates and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on rubella incidence.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of epidemiological data from Voivodeship Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations reports.
• Utilized data from "Infectious Diseases and Poisonings in Poland" and "Protective Vaccinations in Poland" bulletins (2022-2023).
• Incorporated individual case investigations from the EpiBaza system, using 2022-2023 surveillance case definitions.

Main Results:

• Rubella cases increased by 67% from 2022 (147 cases) to 2023 (246 cases), a nearly fivefold rise from 2021.
• Incidence was highest in children aged 0-4 and 5-9 years.
• Vaccination coverage in 3-year-olds was approximately 91%, falling short of the ≥95% elimination target; only 2% of cases were laboratory-confirmed.

Conclusions:

• Epidemiological data from 2022-2023 show a substantial increase in rubella cases in Poland, particularly compared to the COVID-19 pandemic period.
• The 2023 case count, while lower than pre-pandemic 2019 levels, indicates an upward trend potentially linked to increased transmission post-pandemic restrictions.
• Lower-than-ideal vaccination coverage may contribute to the rising incidence of rubella (German measles) in Poland.