1 December 2022 – WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination met virtually in its fourth meeting on 1–3 November 2022.
The meeting was attended by members of the Verification Commission, Chairpersons of the National Verification Committee, representatives of national immunization programmes, ministries of health and immunization partners, the Secretariat of the Regional Verification Commission in Immunization, Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Polio Transition and the Director of Department of Communicable Diseases from WHO's Regional Office, and technical staff from the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals in WHO headquarters.
Commssion members noted the high-quality of reporting during the meeting by country participants from Bahrain who discussed the progress of the elimination status of measles and rubella. They members noted the extraordinary efforts in high-quality surveillance, rapid and thorough outbreak response and case investigations and the high level of political commitment to achieve and sustain measles and rubella elimination in Bahrain.
Following thorough review of country primary and progress reports, which had been submitted by the National Verification Committee, and based on follow-up discussions between the National Verification Committee and country team during the meeting, Commission members unanimously concluded that Bahrain had sustained elimination status for measles and rubella for the period of 2013–2020.
"On the announcement of sustaining the status of the eradication of measles and rubella in Bahrain, we offer sincere congratulations to Bahrain and its people on an achievement which demonstrates not only dedication in ensuring the well-being of citizens and residents of Bahrain, but in ensuring healthy futures to benefit all people across our global networks. Reaching this milestone acts as testament to the strength of Bahrain’s health system, dedicated health workforce, and visionary leadership in fighting the global cause to eradicate and eliminate vaccine preventable diseases; a true embodiment of the sentiment behind Health For All, By All,” said Dr Tasnim Atatrah, WHO Representative in Bahrain.
