Progress towards rubella elimination after implementation of rubella immunization for over 20 years in Shandong province, China

The rubella vaccine has been included in the immunization program in Shandong province of China since 1995. Here we observed the rubella vaccine coverage, epidemiology, serosurvey, and virological surveillance data, in order to identify the challenges impeding the progress towards to its elimination following the implementation of rubella immunization over a 21-year period in Shandong province. We first noted that the annual increase in vaccination coverage resulted in decreased rate of rubella incidence, which was maintained at a low level. Second, the average age of rubella patients had shifted to the 15–29-year age group, making this group the main population affected by the rubella virus (RV). Third, more than 90% of the study population were immune to rubella. However, the positive rate of rubella IgG in some cities was relatively lower indicating that an insufficient proportion of individuals had been vaccinated. Finally, the transmission of the genotype 1E RV was gradually interrupted due to the implementation of rubella vaccination. Unfortunately, the endemicity of the imported genotype 2B RV was established due to the pockets with unvaccinated people. Therefore, comprehensive vaccination coverage of the population, combined with high quality monitoring of rubella, is necessary to achieve the rubella elimination goal.