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Measles and Rubella during COVID-19 Pandemic: Future Challenges in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Kazuki Shimizu

    (Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, Cowdray House, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK
    Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
    Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15 Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan)

  • Ayaka Teshima

    (Faculty of Medicine, School of PUBLIC Health, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK)

  • Hiromi Mase

    (Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London EC1E 7HB, UK)

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted essential health services. Simultaneously, it has created opportunities for citizens to raise awareness of personal hygiene, mask wearing, and other preventive measures. This brief report aims to clarify the epidemiological trends of measles and rubella in Japan and to explore future challenges for controlling these diseases during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Japan eliminated measles in 2015, the number of measles patients has gradually increased since then, and reached 744 in 2019. In the 2010s, Japan experienced two large rubella epidemics, and the majority of the patients were reported in Tokyo and other metropolitan areas. While the transmission of measles and rubella seems to be suppressed during the COVID-19 pandemic, closing the gap in routine childhood vaccination will be challenging in any country. Moreover, supplementary immunization campaigns for adults have also been disrupted, and they must be invigorated. While the pandemic has a devastating effect on a global scale, it should be utilized as a good opportunity to regain faith in vaccines, implement an evidence-based vaccination policy, and strengthen international cooperation.

Suggested Citation

  • Kazuki Shimizu & Ayaka Teshima & Hiromi Mase, 2020. "Measles and Rubella during COVID-19 Pandemic: Future Challenges in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2020:i:1:p:9-:d:466311
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Baoyin Yuan & Hyojung Lee & Hiroshi Nishiura, 2019. "Assessing dengue control in Tokyo, 2014," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Masaya M. Saito & Keisuke Ejima & Ryo Kinoshita & Hiroshi Nishiura, 2018. "Assessing the Effectiveness and Cost-Benefit of Test-and-Vaccinate Policy for Supplementary Vaccination against Rubella with Limited Doses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-12, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kazuki Shimizu & Stuart Gilmour & Hiromi Mase & Phuong Mai Le & Ayaka Teshima & Haruka Sakamoto & Shuhei Nomura, 2021. "COVID-19 and Heat Illness in Tokyo, Japan: Implications for the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, March.

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