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Rubella

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• Symptoms
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• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Three day measles; German measles

Prevention:

Rubella is preventable with vaccination. Rubella virus vaccine is recommended for all children. It is routinely given between 12 and 15 months of age, but is sometimes given earlier during epidemics. A second vaccination (booster) is routinely given between the ages of 4 to 6. MMR immunization is a combination vaccine that protects against measles , mumps , and rubella.

Women of child-bearing age may be screened by rubella serology. If immunity is not present, immunization can be given if conception can be prevented for 28 days after the vaccination. Vaccination should not be given at any time during pregnancy or to a person with an immune system altered by cancer, corticosteroid therapy, or radiation treatment.

Although great care is taken not to give vaccine to an already pregnant woman, in the rare instances where that has occurred, no abnormalities have been detected in the infants.

• Review Date: 5/1/2007
• Reviewed By: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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