Protect unborn babies

Protect unborn babies

from rubella

Rubella is a viral infection transmitted from person to person by droplets via coughs and sneezes. Typical symptoms include a red rash and swollen lymph glands around the ears and the back of the head and – occasionally in adults – pain and inflammation of the joints. Up to 50 % of individuals infected with rubella may not show symptoms.

In healthy individuals it is usually a mild disease. However, if a woman gets rubella shortly before getting pregnant or during the first three months of pregnancy, it is very likely to result in miscarriage or congenital anomalies known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

Rubella and pregnancy
Consequences of rubella in a community where people were not vaccinated


14

(example from the

32

unvaccinated women had rubella during pregnancy.


90%

of the

Netherlands in 2004/2005).

infants were born with congenital infection.


babies can be born with

CRS, leading

to deafness, cataracts,

of the pregnancies can result in

spontaneous

of them had clinical anomalies including deafness in all cases.


2


11

foetal deaths.


learning disabilities, etc.

20 %

abortion and

stillbirth/foetal death.

Vaccination is the best protection

To prevent rubella outbreaks and CRS

everyone should be vaccinated.

Women of child- bearing

age should check if they are vaccinated.

Pregnant women should

Vaccination well before getting pregnant protects from

M

rubella and CRS. A

Rubella vaccination protects unborn children. By vaccinating against rubella you contribute to a healthy community.

www.ecdc.europa.eu

be screened

for rubella.

woman should avoid getting pregnant for four weeks following vaccination.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles,

mumps and rubella and is part of the childhood

immunisation schedule.