Medical Health Encyclopedia

Rubella Vaccinations During Pregnancy. It is particularly important for any unvaccinated nonpregnant woman who wants children to be vaccinated against rubella. It is recommended that women wait at least 28 days after vaccination to start trying to conceive. Except under very special circumstances, no live-virus vaccine, especially MMR, is given to an already pregnant woman, since there is a theoretical risk for birth defects from the rubella vaccine. Fortunately, the risk is low. In fact, studies have reported no increase in birth defects in women who were inadvertently vaccinated for rubella early in their pregnancy.

Side Effects of Live Measles Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccines

Common side effects from the MMR vaccination include fever, rash, and joint pain. Children are more likely to experience such side effects from the second dose (at 10 to 12 years) than from the first (at four to six years).

Fever. About 5 - 15% of people who are vaccinated with any live measles virus vaccine develop a fever of 103 degrees or greater, usually between five and 15 days after the vaccination. It usually lasts one or two days but can persist up to five days. In very young children, seizures can occur from high fever eight to 14 days after vaccination, but they are rare and almost never have any long-term effects.

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Swollen Glands. The live-mumps vaccine can cause mild swelling in the glands that are situated near the ears.

Joint Pain. Up to 25% of women have joint pain one to three weeks after a vaccination with a live-rubella virus; it lasts for one day to three weeks. Such pain does not usually interrupt daily activities. Rarely, it recurs or becomes persistent.

Allergic Reaction. People who have known anaphylactic allergies (very severe reactions) to eggs or neomycin are at high risk for a severe allergic response to the MMR vaccine. People with allergies that do not cause anaphylactic shock to these substances are not at higher risk for a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine. Mild allergic reactions may occur in some people, including rash and itching. A rash occurs in about 5% of people who are vaccinated with a live-measles vaccine. A live-mumps vaccination has caused rash and itching, but these symptoms are usually mild.