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

• Brief description
  Symptoms, treatment, transmission, etc.
• Questions and Answers
• 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.
• Rubella basics
  Fact sheet offers overview of Rubella disease and vaccine risks and benefits
  • In English
  • En Español

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 Posted Oct 2009
• Rubella Vaccination: Who Needs It?
• Rubella: Make Sure Your Child Is Fully Immunized
  CDC feature story Updated Jan 2011
  
• Side-effects of MMR and MMRV vaccines
  Excerpt from Vaccine Information Statement
• Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): MMR and MMRV
• State Vaccine Requirements
• History of the MMR vaccine
  National Network for Immunization Information

Autism Theory

• Do vaccines cause autism?
• Vaccines and Autism
  National Network for Immunization Information
• MMR vaccine does NOT cause autism: Examine the evidence [PDF-71KB, 2 pages]
  Immunization Action Coalition
• Facts for Parents About Vaccine Safety
  American Academy of Pediatrics
• The determinations on serious professional misconduct and sanction in the cases of Dr Wakefield, Professor Walker-Smith and Professor Murch
  Set forth by Great Britain’s General Medical Council, Posted May 2010
• Other scientists have not been able to reproduce the results claimed by Dr Wakefield and his team regarding measles virus
  World Health Organization statement on the use of MMR vaccine 

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 or MMRV vaccinations

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.

• MMR Vaccine Safety Research and MMRV Vaccine Safety
• Multiple or combined vaccines and the immune system
• CDC's Vaccine Safety website
  • concerns | report a suspected vaccine reaction
• Are vaccines safe?
  FAQs on The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia website
• Lessening the Pain of Vaccines
  Techniques worth trying; on The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia website

• Who should not be vaccinated with MMR vaccine?
• Who should not be vaccinated with MMRV vaccine?
• Pregnancy guidelines

For Health Professionals