Elimination of diseases from Europe through use of vaccines.

A target has been set to eliminate measles, poliomyelitis, congenital rubella (as well as diphtheria and neonatal tetanus) from the 32 countries of the European Region of WHO by the year 2000. Achievement of this target will require achievement and maintenance of high levels of immunization coverage as well as strengthened surveillance and outbreak control. Use of combined vaccines and simultaneous administration of vaccines is a key component of achieving the goal.