pediatrics
Congenital Rubella
Prevention of Congenital Rubella
Rubella can be prevented by vaccination. In the US, infants should receive a combined Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine . The first dose is given at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose is given at 4 to 6 years of age (see Efforts should also be made to screen and vaccinate high-risk groups, such as hospital and child care workers, military recruits, recent immigrants, and college students. Women who are found to be susceptible during prenatal screening should be vaccinated after delivery and before hospital discharge. Theoretically, vaccination of nonimmune people exposed to rubella might prevent infection if done within 3 days of exposure, but this treatment has not proved to be beneficial. People with documented vaccination with at least one dose of live-attenuated rubella virus-containing vaccine after age 1 year or who have serologic evidence of immunity can be considered immune to rubella. 