What should you know about the rubella vaccine?

Rubella can cause a mild rash, fever, swollen glands and joint pain, yet infection during pregnancy can seriously affect an unborn baby. The vaccine trains the immune system before exposure. It cannot treat an existing infection. Because the vaccine contains a live weakened virus, pregnancy planning and immune problems should be discussed with a clinician.

Check your immunisation record and arrange a GP Consultation if your history is uncertain. Tell the clinician if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, have an immune condition or take medicines that affect immunity. After vaccination, mild soreness or a short-lived fever can occur. Follow local advice about timing and future doses; do not arrange vaccination based on a friend’s schedule.

Contact a clinician promptly after possible rubella exposure, especially if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, collapse or a rapidly worsening illness after vaccination. A new rash with fever also warrants medical advice, because rubella and other infections can look alike. Read more about Rubella and Fever.

Ask which MMR doses are recorded, whether another dose is advised, how pregnancy changes the timing, and how to respond after contact with someone who has Rubella.