Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome--United States and Mexico, 1997-1999

In 1996, the Immunization Working Group of the Mexico-United States Binational Commission was established to enhance coordination of disease surveillance, assure high vaccination coverage in both countries, and hasten the elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases. The United States and Mexico share the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) goal of measles elimination by 2000. The United States also established a goal of eliminating indigenous rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2000. This report summarizes the measles and rubella vaccination and surveillance data for the United States and Mexico for 1997-1999.