Topic: Rubella and immunisation
Description
Rubella is generally a mild illness caused by the rubella virus. However, rubella can produce defects in children born to women who are infected by the virus during pregnancy. Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) occurs in up to 90% of infants born to women who are infected with rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy. The risk falls to approximately 10%-20% by the 16th week. Defects have not been reported after the 20th week of pregnancy. The most common defects to occur are intellectual disabilities, deafness, cataracts and other vision problems, inflammation of the brain, heart defects, liver disease, bone disease and growth retardation.
Practical Advice
Immunisation
Rubella can be prevented with immunisation. Since the introduction of an effective vaccine, rubella mainly occurs in young unimmunised children, or in adolescents and young adults who have received less than two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.
Immunisation against rubella is recommended as part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule and the vaccine is available free for:
- all children at 12 months and 4 years of age.
Protection against rubella is given through a combined measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are needed to provide a high level of protection.
It is important that your child receives all recommended doses of the vaccine at the recommended times, to ensure they are protected.
Rubella vaccination is also recommended (but not funded) for the following people.
- Women considering a pregnancy who are not immune on blood tests. If vaccinated, they should not become pregnant for 28 days after vaccination. They should also be tested for immunity 6-8 weeks following immunisation, and if found to have negative or very low immune levels, they should be revaccinated if not pregnant. If pregnant, they should be vaccinated after delivery and before discharge from the maternity unit.
- All males born during or since 1966 who have no record of receiving the vaccine or who are not immune on blood tests. Two doses of MMR vaccine given at least 4 weeks apart are recommended.
- Healthcare workers and people working with children born during or since 1966 who have no record of receiving the vaccine or who are not immune on blood tests. Two doses of MMR vaccine given at least 4 weeks apart are recommended.
Possible side effects of the vaccine
Like all medications, vaccines may have side effects. Most side effects are minor, last a short time and do not lead to any long-term problems.
Possible side effects of the MMR vaccine may include discomfort where the injection was given, fever, a rash which is not infectious, drowsiness and tiredness. If side effects occur, they usually come on seven to 10 days after immunisation and last two or three days. More serious side effects are extremely rare and can include severe allergic reactions.
Contact your immunisation provider if you or your child has a reaction following vaccination which you consider serious or unexpected.
Pre-vaccination checklist
This checklist helps your doctor/nurse decide about vaccinating you or your child.
Please tell your doctor/nurse if the person about to be vaccinated:
- is unwell today
- has a disease which lowers immunity (eg. leukaemia, cancer, HIV/AIDS) or is having treatment which lowers immunity (eg. oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy)
- has had a severe reaction following any vaccine
- has any severe allergies (to anything)
- has had any vaccine in the past month
- has had an injection of immunoglobulin, or received any blood products or a whole blood transfusion within the past year
- is pregnant
- has a past history of Guillain-Barr syndrome
- was a preterm infant
- has a chronic illness
- has a bleeding disorder.
A different vaccine schedule may be recommended if the person to be vaccinated:
- identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- does not have a functioning spleen
- is planning a pregnancy or anticipating parenthood
- is a parent, grandparent or carer of a newborn
- lives with someone who has a disease which lowers immunity (eg. leukaemia, cancer, HIV/AIDS), or lives with someone who is having treatment which lowers immunity (eg. oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy).
Care after vaccination
- For redness or swelling at the injection site, apply a cold compress.
- To lower temperature or relieve discomfort, paracetamol may be given.
- If fever persists, consult your doctor.
- If any reaction occurs that you consider serious or unexpected, seek medical advice.
- Contact the service provider if you or your child has a reaction following vaccination.
Where can I be immunised?
You can be immunised at your local doctor or medical centre. Some councils, community child health and community health centres hold free immunisation clinics. Check with them for details.
Other Resources
For further information please contact:
- your doctor
- your nearest population health unit
- 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
- Immunise Australia National Infoline: 1800 671 811.
Immunise Australia
A website about childhood immunisation produced by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.
Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
Information about communicable diseases including vaccine preventable diseases.
Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
A website about the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR), produced by Medicare Australia.
Heymann, D., ed. 2004. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 18th edition. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.
Related Content
National Health and Medical Research Council, 2008. The Australian Immunisation Handbook (9th Ed.)
Last updated: 8th March, 2011
Review Date: 25th March, 2010
