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Rubella Vaccine
About Rubella Vaccine
The rubella vaccine was developed by several researchers and licensed in 1969. Rubella, or German measles, is usually mild in children but devastating to fetuses. A rubella epidemic in 1964 to 1965 caused approximately 20,000 cases of congenital rubella syndrome in the US, including 11,000 fetal deaths and 2,100 neonatal deaths. The epidemic motivated rapid vaccine development. Harry Meyer and Paul Parkman at the NIH developed one of the first rubella vaccines. Maurice Hilleman developed an improved version. The vaccine was incorporated into the MMR combination in 1971. Congenital rubella syndrome has been virtually eliminated in countries with high vaccination rates. The World Health Organization targets rubella elimination through combined measles rubella vaccination campaigns.
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