Rubella was a common disease of childhood prior to the introduction of rubella vaccine in 1969. Rubella is a mild disease, but if a pregnant woman becomes infected the virus may affect all organs of the fetus and cause a variety of congenital defects, including deafness, eye defects, heart defects, and mental retardation. Fortunately, rubella was declared eliminated from the United States in 2004, and from all of North and South America, including Mexico, in 2016. However, rubella still circulates in many other countries and travelers who are not immune to rubella may become infected.
Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are recommended. Children should get their first dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. Students (including college students), health care workers, and international travelers should receive two doses of MMR vaccine.
Outbreaks
Child care facilities with low vaccination rates are at increased risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Lookup vaccination rates:
Child Care/Preschool | Kindergarten | 7th Grade