Two Outbreaks of Rubella in International Students: Policy Implications

Because of the implementation of routine vaccination, the number of vaccine preventable diseases such as rubella had markedly declined for years in Taiwan. Eliminating rubella and congenital rubella is one of the targets in ”Eradication Program for Measles, Congenital Rubella Syndrome, Poliomyelitis and Neonatal Tetanus”. Following the two outbreaks of rubella in foreign laborers last year, there were two more outbreaks in international students in Taipei County and Changhua County, respectively. This article will briefly describe these two events and discuss the issues of management and control. Finally, we will give some recommendations for vaccination policy for foreigners.