Rubella (German Measles)
Which adults should get vaccinated against rubella (also called German measles)?
- Adults born in 1957 or later who have not been vaccinated or have not had rubella.
- Non-pregnant women of childbearing age no matter what year they were born.
- College students, teachers, healthcare personnel, and international travelers are at increased risk for rubella.
- Rubella is part of a combination vaccine called MMR that also protects against
measles and mumps.
Did you know...
if a pregnant woman gets rubella, there is about a one-in-five chance of damage to the fetus, like deafness, mental retardation, or liver, heart, or spleen damage?
What happens when someone gets rubella?
- Symptoms of rubella include rash, slight fever, aching joints, and reddened eyes.
- The rash first appears on the face, but then will continue to spread over the entire body.
- The lymph nodes behind the ears and the back of the neck may swell, causing soreness and pain.
Why is rubella vaccine important?
- If a pregnant woman gets rubella during pregnancy, her baby is at risk of serious birth defects including heart defects, mental retardation, liver and spleen damage, and deafness. There is a 20 percent chance of damage to the fetus if a woman is infected with rubella early in pregnancy.
FAQ: How do you get rubella?
Rubella is a virus that is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.