Event Details

PHO Rounds: Congenital Rubella Syndrome Prevention and the “Paradoxical Effect”: Changing Public Health Policy

This Public Health Ontario (PHO) Rounds describes the position that was recently made for introducing universal rubella vaccines. It is a case study in using new evidence to address inequity through policy change. The key elements to achieving change in many public health systems are common, requiring scientific evidence from observational data and mathematical modeling complemented by the action of a strong global alliance able to navigate the policy arena.

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is caused by infection with rubella virus early in pregnancy and causes devastating damage to infants. CRS has been eliminated from Canada but remains a major inequity and ongoing risk in countries without access to rubella vaccine, where 32,000 children with CRS are born annually. Barriers to accessing rubella vaccine have included a World Health Organization (WHO) policy that countries should reach at least 80% immunization coverage either through routine immunization or campaigns, designed to avoid the risk of the “paradoxical effect”.

Intended audience: Public Health Physicians, Public Health Nurses (PHN), public health unit (PHU) staff working in infectious diseases, Epidemiologists, Researchers, Global Health Specialists

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe inequity in countries’ access to rubella vaccine and the implications for the global burden of congenital rubella syndrome and rubella elimination
• Define the “paradoxical effect” as it applies to immunization coverage
• Outline the key elements needed to change global immunization policy
• Apply the global case study to the elements needed to strengthen local public health policy development

Presenter(s): Dr. Natasha S. Crowcroft

Dr. Natasha S. Crowcroft, MD (Cantab), MSc, MRCP, FFPH, is the Senior Technical Adviser for Measles and Rubella at the WHO. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, inaugural Director of the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, and Senior Fellow, Massey College at the University of Toronto with three decades of experience in public health practice and over 300 scientific publications. She was formerly Chief Scientist at PHO, Professor in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, Adjunct Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) , and member of Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.

Accreditation

Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.

PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.

Accessibility

Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.