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What is Rubella?
Rubella, also known as German measles, is an infection caused by a virus. It is usually mild in children and adults, often causing only a mild rash and low fever, and it spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. While generally mild, rubella is dangerous when a woman is infected during pregnancy, because the virus can also infect the developing fetus.
What are the symptoms of Rubella?
In children, rubella typically causes a mild rash, mild fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes, particularly behind the ears and in the neck. Some infected children and adults may show few or no symptoms at all. Adults, especially women, can also experience temporary joint pain and swelling. In most cases the illness is mild and resolves on its own.
What is the global scenario like?
Before rubella vaccines became widely available, the disease caused regular outbreaks and was a leading cause of Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) around the world. CRS occurs when a pregnant woman infected with rubella passes the virus to her developing baby, and it can cause birth defects such as deafness, cataracts, and heart problems. Since the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine has been introduced widely, rubella and CRS have significantly declined in many parts of the world, and the World Health Organization continues to support rubella vaccination as part of global measles and rubella elimination efforts.
What is Rubella's status in Pakistan?
Pakistan has introduced the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine into its routine immunization schedule to help reduce the burden of rubella and prevent congenital rubella syndrome in newborns. EPI Sindh continues working to expand MR vaccine coverage through routine immunization services and periodic catch-up campaigns. Improving and sustaining coverage, especially among children and women of childbearing age, remains an important public health priority for the province.
How do you prevent Rubella?
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rubella and congenital rubella syndrome. Children receive protection through the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, with a first dose given around 9 months of age and a second dose around 15 months, free of charge through EPI Sindh. Because a woman infected with rubella early in pregnancy has a high chance of passing the virus to her fetus, maintaining high childhood vaccination coverage also helps protect future pregnancies.
Vaccine at a glance
MR (Measles-Rubella)
- 1st dose at 9 months of age
- 2nd dose (MR) at 15 months of age
- Given free of charge through EPI Sindh