Rubella Vaccine

Rubella is an illness caused by a virus. The virus can result in a rash, mild fever, or arthritis . Pregnant women who have rubella are at increased risk for miscarriage . Their babies may be born with severe birth defects, including:

• Increased risk of diabetes throughout life
• Behavior problems
• Hearing loss
• Heart defects
• Intellectual disability
• Vision problems

Rubella is passed from person to person through droplets in the air.

Symptoms include:

• Achy joints and arthritis (especially in adults)
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Flushed face
• Headache
• Red throat (although not sore)
• Red, spotty rash all over the body
• Swollen lymph nodes

Rash and fever generally last for 2-3 days.

There is no treatment for rubella. Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) can ease discomfort.

Although rubella is available as a single vaccine, it is normally given in combination with:

• Measles, mumps, and varicella (chicken pox) vaccine (MMRV)
• Measles and mumps vaccine (MMR)

All children (with few exceptions) should receive the vaccine two times:

• 12-15 months
• 4-6 years (school entry)—can be given earlier, but the two doses must be separated by at least four weeks

For those aged 12 months to 18 years who have not been vaccinated, two doses of MMR are given, separated by a minimum of 4 weeks. Adults who need the vaccine get one or two doses.

Like any vaccine, the MMR vaccine could cause serious problems, such as a severe allergic reaction. While most people do not experience any problems, some have reported:

• Mild problems:
  • Fever
  • Mild rash
  • Swelling of the glands in the cheeks or neck
• Moderate problems:
  • Low platelet count
  • Seizure caused by fever
  • Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints
• Very rare:
  • Coma
  • Deafness
  • Long-term seizures
  • Lowered consciousness
  • Permanent brain damage
  • Serious allergic reaction

You should not get the vaccine if you have the following conditions:

• Have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin , or a previous dose of MMR vaccine
• Are moderately or severely ill—Wait until you recover.
• Are pregnant—Wait until after you give birth. If you are trying to become pregnant, wait four weeks after getting the vaccine.

Talk with your doctor before getting the MMR vaccine if you:

• Have cancer or are being treated for cancer
• Have a condition that affects the immune system (eg, HIV/AIDS )
• Have had a blood transfusion
• Are being treated with drugs that affect the immune system (eg, long-term steroids)
• Have ever had a low blood platelet count

Widespread vaccination has resulted in rubella's virtual elimination in the US. It is important to avoid contact with people who may have been exposed to the disease in order to prevent it.

Since rubella is now rare in the US, even one case is considered potential for an outbreak. In the event of an outbreak, members of households, workplaces, universities, jails, and communities with rubella-infected persons will be assessed to determine whether they might have rubella.

Once rubella cases are identified, patients should be isolated for 5-7 days after the rash began. Furthermore, people in contact with the infected person should be vaccinated if they are eligible for the vaccine. It is important to identify and test all pregnant women for immunity. These women should avoid activities where they may be exposed to an infected person. In some settings, such as children born with congenital rubella syndrome, viral shedding can be quite prolonged.