The main purpose of rubella vaccination is to prevent rubella disease from occurring during pregnancy. If unprotected pregnant women contract rubella, there is a great risk that the newborn child will also become ill. Severe malformations of the child’s brain, eyes or heart are then often the result.
Vaccination for boys is also recommended because they are sources of infection for unprotected pregnant women. In principle, all women should make sure in good time before pregnancy that they have a sufficient amount of protective substances against rubella pathogens (so-called antibodies) in their blood. These protective substances can originate from a previously passed rubella infection or from a rubella vaccination. The statutory health insurance funds cover the costs of this examination for their insured persons. In rare cases, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) occurs with rubella disease, which can result in permanent brain damage.
Vaccination: live vaccine, expediently in combination as multiple vaccine MMR.
Who should get vaccinated?
- All children,
- All women of childbearing age who are susceptible to rubella.
- In adult women, a so-called rubella test should be performed before vaccination. Pregnancy must be excluded at the time of vaccination. Likewise, prevent the occurrence of pregnancy for 3 months after vaccination.
Timing of vaccination:
First vaccination at the beginning of the second year of life. The second vaccination can be given as early as four weeks (= minimum interval) after the first vaccination and should be given as early as possible. If only one measles-mumps-rubella vaccination has preceded, then the second measles-mumps-rubella vaccination must be made up in all children and adolescents – at the latest between the ages of 11 and 15.
There is no age limit for measles-mumps-rubella vaccination.
Common vaccine reactions:
Redness, swelling at the vaccination site, occasional low-grade fever, headache, rash, swelling of lymph nodes, temporary joint discomfort in adults.