From the Guidelines
After receiving the rubella vaccine, women should wait at least 28 days before trying to become pregnant. This recommendation is based on the fact that the rubella vaccine contains a live attenuated virus, which theoretically poses a small risk to a developing fetus if conception occurs shortly after vaccination 1. The 28-day waiting period allows your body time to develop immunity while ensuring the vaccine virus is cleared from your system before pregnancy. This precaution is important because rubella infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome.
The vaccine itself is typically given as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) combination vaccine. If you're planning pregnancy, it's ideal to check your rubella immunity status beforehand through a simple blood test. If you're already immune, no vaccination or waiting period is needed. If vaccination is required, scheduling it at least one month before attempting conception provides adequate protection for both you and your future baby. Key points to consider include:
- The risk of congenital rubella syndrome is a significant concern, but the vaccine itself has an excellent safety profile 1.
- No harmful effects have been observed in pregnant women who received the vaccine, but safety in pregnancy has not been formally evaluated 1.
- Pregnancy testing is not recommended before vaccine administration, but recipients are advised not to become pregnant for at least 28 days after vaccine dose 1.
Overall, the 28-day waiting period is a precautionary measure to minimize the theoretical risk to the fetus, and it is supported by the most recent and highest-quality evidence 1.
From the Research
Delay After Rubella Vaccination to Get Pregnant
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends avoiding pregnancy for 28 days after receiving a rubella-containing vaccine, as stated in the revised recommendation in 2001 2.
- However, a case study reported in 2023 found a case of congenital rubella syndrome in an infant born to a woman who was inadvertently vaccinated with measles-mumps-rubella vaccination early in pregnancy, highlighting the potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy 3.
- Other studies focus on the global progress toward rubella and congenital rubella syndrome control and elimination, and the importance of vaccination programs in preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes 4, 5, 6.
- The recommended delay after rubella vaccination to get pregnant is based on the ACIP's revised recommendation, which shortened the recommended period to avoid pregnancy after receipt of rubella-containing vaccine from 3 months to 28 days 2.