The GCC Infectious Diseases Control Committee issued several recommendations at the end of its meeting which was held in Dubai. The committee assured the importance of completing all the polio and rubella immunization programs for residency visa applicants.

The committee also recommended the importance of completing a certificate request in relation to measles, rubella and polio vaccinations for expatriates who are less than 18 years old and give them the required vaccinations.

The committee suggested the request from Saudi Arabia to study the possibility of adding vaccinations against measles and rubella as part of the health requirements for haj and umrah.

Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Policies at the Ministry of Health said: "The committee suggested the formation of a joint team between the regional offices and the executive office of the GCC Health Ministers Council to study the epidemiological situation of measles and rubella and at the same time provided a proposed work plan to achieve the desired goals before the end of 2012.

He also added that the committee demanded a full national campaign to provide measles vaccination every three years in addition to the regular checkups in remote areas and low coverage areas noting that the committee also called for strengthening the epidemiological investigation of measles and rubella according to the guidelines of the world health organization.

Dr. Fikri indicated that the committee called strengthening the electronic epidemiological investigation system and exchanging experiences between the GCC countries and at the same time benefiting from international experiences to eradicate measles. The committee also called the committee members to enhance the role of national reference laboratories and benefit from the services of regional and international reference labs networks to make the required genetic examinations.


The assistant undersecretary for health policies said: "The committee recommended the usage of all supplementary immunization samples in schools and after birth in cases where children did not take the two previous doses. We also requested the member states to complete the recommendations and strategies of the world health organization to eliminate measles and rubella".

"The meeting continued for two days in Movenpick Ibn Batouta in Dubai to discuss regional and international efforts in the eradication of measles and rubella and the GCC updated reports as well as the general action plan to eradicate measles and rubella syndrome. The committee also reviewed the implementation plans of the deported people due to health reasons", he ended.

The committee was attended by the members of the GCC committee of infectious diseases and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa.