The Changing Epidemiology of Rubella in the 1990s

Abstract

The current epidemiology of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the United States reflects the overwhelming success of rubella and CRS control strategies that were initiated 31 years ago, when rubella vaccine became available. While the US vaccination program has mainly focused on attaining high rates of childhood immunization, the goal of the program is to prevent fetal infection. When intrauterine rubella occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, the results can include miscarriage, stillbirth, and CRS—a pattern of fetal anomalies that includes cataracts, hearing impairment, cardiac disease, and developmental delay.¹