Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Rubella (German Measles) Vaccination
Pronounced (rue-BELL-a)
The rubella vaccine is a live attenuated (weakened) virus which is usually given as part of the MMR vaccine (protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella). MMR is recommended at 12-15 months (not earlier) and a second dose when the child is 4-6 years old (before kindergarten or 1st grade).
Rubella vaccination is particularly important for non-immune women who may become pregnant because of the risk for serious birth defects if they acquire the disease during pregnancy
What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
What You Should Know
- Brief description
Symptoms, treatment, transmission, etc. - Questions
and Answers
- About rubella and rubella vaccination
Updated Feb 2008
Parent's Guide to Childhood Immunization (screen-reader version) - Pictures of Rubella
Warning: Some of these photos are quite graphic. - What
risks does rubella pose for the fetus?
Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) - March of Dimes - Travelers information
Information and updates on risks for travelers, precautions, prevention, etc.
The measles disease can be prevented by the combination vaccine: MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). In 2005, a combination MMRV (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella) vaccine was licensed.
- Vaccination Options for Preventing Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella
For Parents and caregivers: Fact Sheet and Q&As NEW Oct 2009 - Who Needs to be Vaccinated and Who Doesnt'?
- Side Effects from MMR vaccine
Excerpt from Vaccine Information Statement
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- School Vaccine Requirements
- History of the MMR vaccine
- Decision Aid: Considering MMR vaccination for your child?
Autism Theory
- Do vaccines cause autism?
- Vaccines
and autism
Author: Dr. Paul Offit, Director, Vaccine Education Center - Just
the Facts... MMR and Autism
Authors: American Academy of Pediatrics - MMR vaccine does not cause autism! Examine the evidence
Immunization Action Coalition - Facts for Parents About Vaccine Safety
- Other scientists have not been able to reproduce
the results claimed by Dr Wakefield and his
team regarding measles virus
WHO statement on the use of MMR vaccine - Is there any scientific evidence that proves a link between autism & vaccines?
NIH, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - More...
Other concerns
- Chronic Anthropathy and Rubella Vaccine
National Library of Medicine - Catholics hold differing views about the question of rubella vaccination for children
- Febrile seizures after MMR and DTP vaccinations
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and MMR vaccine
- More...
As with all vaccines, there can be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a vague feeling of discomfort.
- Are
vaccines safe?
FAQs on The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia website - Multiple or combined vaccines and the immune system
- CDC's Vaccine Safety website
- Lessening the Pain of Vaccines
Techniques worth trying
- What if we stopped vaccinating for this disease?
- Who should not be vaccinated with MMR vaccine?
- Pregnancy guidelines
For Health Professionals
Clinical Information on Rubella
- Pink Book's chapter on Rubella
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook - MMR Clinical questions and answers
- Ask the Experts
CDC experts answer your clinical questions (Immunization Action Coalition) - NIPINFO Answers Your Questions about MMR
- An Introduction to Rubella in Healthcare Settings
- Prevention & Control of Rubella in Healthcare Settings
- Proper handling of MMR vaccine
Vaccine Recommendations
- Vaccination Options for Preventing Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella
For Providers: Fact Sheet and Q&As NEW Oct 2009 - ACIP recommendations
- Rubella official recommendations
- Standing Orders
- Contraindications
- ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution
Precautions and use during outbreaks
References and Resources
- Related
MMWR articles, links, and references
- More MMWRs on MMR
- Pink Book's chapter on Rubella (14 pages, compliant)
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook - Surveillance manual's chapter on Rubella
Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook - Travelers Health: Yellow Book
- Infection control guidelines
Provider Education
- 2009 Clinical education slide set
[PDF - 109KB] Updated May 2009
from the 11th edition "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" course - Podcasts
Immunization-related podcasts; none specifically on rubella
Materials for Patients
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- Get Shots Before You Get Pregnant
- Important facts for parents to know about the MMR vaccine
- Stories of people who suffered or died from rubella
- Rubella: Questions and Answers
Ready-to-print versions of one of the CDC-reviewed Q&A material located on IAC's Vaccine Information website (http://www.vaccineinformation.org) Dated 4/07 - Rubéola - Las vacunas y las enfermedades que previenen (Spanish materials)
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Content last reviewed on May 29, 2009
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases