Wales measles and rubella elimination task group action plan 

In Wales the first routine vaccinations against measles were introduced in 1968 and against rubella in 1970. The introduction of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for infants in 1988 and a second pre-school dose in 1996, with three national catch up campaigns over three decades alongside the continued efforts of local NHS services, have made these once common childhood infections extremely rare in Wales today.

Mortality from measles has fallen globally since the first introduction of measles containing vaccines in the 1960s as a result of significant national and international initiatives to improve the availability of free vaccination. However, measles still causes more than 100,000 deaths worldwide each year, and remains a threat to the population of Wales. Elimination of measles and rubella is now a global aspiration.

This report describes the progress made so far in Wales, and sets out recommendations to ensure the continued elimination of measles and rubella, and the control of mumps.