Traveller vaccination rubella

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Usama Talib, BSc, MD [2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Protection against rubella is not specific to the needs of travellers. In most countries rubella vaccine is routinely administered in childhood. Missing rubella vaccinations in travellers should be offered according to national recommendations.

Disease cause[edit | edit source]

Rubella virus.

Transmission[edit | edit source]

Primarily by airborne respiratory droplets.

Nature of the disease[edit | edit source]

Rubella is usually a mild childhood disease characterized by moderate fever, lymphadenopathy and a rash. In adults, transient arthralgia and arthritis may occur. Rubella infection in early pregnancy often results in miscarriage, stillbirth or multiple fetal defects (congenital rubella syndrome).

Geographical distribution[edit | edit source]

Worldwide, but incidence depends on coverage of rubella vaccination.

Risk for travellers[edit | edit source]

Non-immune travellers may be at risk when visiting countries with insufficient vaccination coverage. Particular attention should be paid to ensuring protection of women in early pregnancy or who may become pregnant during the period of travel.

Vaccine[edit | edit source]

Live attenuated vaccine: available either in monovalent form (rubella component only) or in fixed combinations with one or more of vaccines against mumps, measles and varicella. Two intramuscular doses are administered at an interval of at least four weeks