Rubella – Get vaccinated before trying to conceive
Did you know that it is important to receive the rubella vaccine before trying to get pregnant?
The information in this article may help prevent serious birth defects in your future baby.
What is rubella?
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a viral infection that spreads through respiratory droplets from infected individuals.
Preventing rubella infection during pregnancy is extremely important. If a pregnant woman becomes infected during the first few months of pregnancy, it can lead to:
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
- A 90% risk of giving birth to a baby with congenital rubella syndrome
Effects on the baby
Rubella infection during pregnancy can severely affect the baby’s developing organs, including the brain, heart, eyes, and ears.
As a result, the child may have:
- Blindness or cataracts
- Hearing loss
- Heart defects
- Learning difficulties or intellectual disability
Why vaccination is important
To prevent these serious outcomes, it is strongly recommended to receive the rubella vaccine before becoming pregnant.
Under Sri Lanka’s National Immunization Programme, all children receive the MMR vaccine in two doses at 9 months and 3 years of age.
If a person has not received at least one dose of the rubella vaccine, individuals above 13 years of age can receive one dose of the MMR vaccine.
For women planning pregnancy who did not receive two doses of MMR in childhood, it is very important to receive an additional rubella vaccine at least 3 months before trying to conceive.
Why 3 months before pregnancy?
The vaccine should be taken at least 3 months before pregnancy because:
- The vaccine should not be given during pregnancy as it may harm the baby
- Pregnancy reduces immune regulation, making timing important
- Once pregnancy occurs, rubella vaccination cannot be given
There is no treatment that can prevent or reverse the damage caused to the fetus if a pregnant woman contracts rubella.
Therefore, prevention through proper vaccination is extremely important.