Rubella immunoglobulin
The rubella vaccine is made up of what is called an 'attenuated live virus'. This means that the rubella virus is 'diluted' or weakened in the laboratory to produce the vaccine. When a person is vaccinated, the attenuated virus usually produces a mild form of the rubella virus to stimulate an immune response. A single rubella vaccination is thought to produce adequate immunity in up to 95% or people. (However, the actual immunity level is usually comparatively lower, than if the person experienced a rubella infection.) Vaccinated immunity (if successful) is believed to last for about 16 years. Successful immunity after becoming infected with the rubella virus is thought to be virtually life-long.
The rubella vaccine can produce mild rubella symptoms about 1 to 3 weeks after the injection is given. These can include a sore throat, fever (or temperature above 37.5
oC), swollen
lymph glands, a rash and possibly stiff, painful and swollen joints. In rare cases temporary mental disturbances or thrombocytopenia (low
platelets) can occur.
While the vaccine can produce mild rubella symptoms the person who was vaccinated
IS NOT infectious. This means that the vaccinated woman cannot infect others, and children who have had their routine
MMR vaccination cannot infect their mother (which can be of a concern if she is pregnant).
The rubella vaccine should not be given if you:
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Are experiencing an illness that produces high temperatures. |
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Know you are pregnant. |
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Are allergic to the antibiotic neomycin. The rubella vaccine contains traces of neomycin. |
Rubella immunoglobulin