The Basics
What is Rubella Vaccine?
Protects against Rubella.
Brand names for Rubella Vaccine
Meruvax
How Rubella Vaccine is classified
Vaccines
Rubella Vaccine During Pregnancy
Rubella Vaccine pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Rubella Vaccine while pregnant
Are there any studies on getting rubella vaccine while pregnant? Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with MERUVAX (rubella virus vaccine live) II. It is also not known whether MERUVAX (rubella virus vaccine live) II can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. There is evidence suggesting transmission of rubella vaccine viruses to products of conception.32 Therefore, rubella vaccine should not be administered to pregnant females (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE, Non-Pregnant Adolescent and Adult Females and CONTRAINDICATIONS). In counseling women who are inadvertently vaccinated when pregnant or who become pregnant within 3 months of vaccination, the physician should be aware of the following: In a 10-year survey involving over 700 pregnant women who received rubella vaccine within 3 months before or after conception, (of whom 189 received the Wistar RA 27/3 strain) none of the newborns had abnormalities compatible with congenital rubella syndrome.32
Taking Rubella Vaccine While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Rubella Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several health professional organizations state that vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to rubella vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules. Although rubella vaccine virus might be excreted into milk, the virus usually does not infect the infant. If an infection does occur, it is well tolerated because the viruses are attenuated.[1][2][3]
Maternal / infant drug levels
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several health professional organizations state that vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to rubella vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules. Although rubella vaccine virus might be excreted into milk, the virus usually does not infect the infant. If an infection does occur, it is well tolerated because the viruses are attenuated.[1][2][3]
Possible effects of Rubella Vaccine on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Rubella Vaccine
None listed
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, Kimberlin DW, Brady MT et al. Red Book: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 30th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. 2015.
2. Gruslin A, Steben M, Halperin S et al. Immunization in pregnancy: No. 220, December 2008. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2009;105:187-91. PMID: 19367691
3. General recommendations on immunization — recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2011;60 (RR-2):1-64. PMID: 21293327
4. Isacson P, Kehrer AF, Wilson H et al. Comparative study of live, attenuated rubella virus vaccines during immediate puerperium. Obstet Gynecol. 1971;37(3):332-7. PMID: 5101211
5. Losonsky GA, Fishaut JM, Strussenberg J, Ogra PL. Effect of immunization against rubella on lactation products. I. Development and characterization of specific immunologic reactivity in breast milk. J Infect Dis. 1982;145:654-60. PMID: 7077089
6. Farquhar JD. Follow-up on rubella vaccinations and experience with subclinical reinfection. J Pediatr. 1972;81:460-5. PMID: 5065683
7. Buimovici-Klein E, Hite RL, Byrne T et al. Isolation of rubella virus in milk after pospartum immunization. J Pediatr. 1977;91:939-41. PMID: 925824
8. Krogh V, Duffy LC, Wong D et al. Postpartum immunization with rubella virus vaccine and antibody response in breast-feeding infants. J Lab Clin Med. 1989;113(6):695-9. PMID: 2732617
9. Losonsky GA, Fishaut JM, Strussenberg J et al. Effect of immunization against rubella on lactation products. II. Maternal-neonatal interactions. J Infect Dis. 1982;145:661-6. PMID: 7077090
10. Hisano M, Kato T, Inoue E et al. Evaluation of measles-rubella vaccination for mothers in early puerperal phase. Vaccine. 2016;34:1208-14. PMID: 26801065
11. Pabst HF. Immunomodulation by breast-feeding. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997;16:991-5. PMID: 9380478
12. Grillner L, Hedstrom CE, Bergstrom H et al. Vaccination against rubella of newly delivered women. Scand J Infect Dis. 1973;5:237-41. PMID: 4798559
13. Landes RD, Bass JW, Millunchick EW et al. Neonatal rubella following postpartum maternal immunization. J Pediatr. 1980;97:465-7. PMID: 7191002
14. Lerman SJ. Neonatal rubella following maternal immunization. J Pediatr. 1981;98:668-9. Letter. PMID: 7205504
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
