What are the recommended vaccination guidelines for rubella in children and adults?

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Posted: 16 August 2025Updated: 16 August 2025 Guideline-Aligned (High Confidence) Clinically Reviewed
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX

Vaccination guidelines for rubella in children: Rubella vaccination is given as part of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is routinely offered to children as two doses according to the UK childhood immunisation schedule. Ensuring high uptake of the two-dose MMR vaccine is essential to prevent rubella infection in children .

Vaccination guidelines for adults: Adults who are susceptible to rubella, particularly women of childbearing age without evidence of immunity, should be offered the MMR vaccine before pregnancy. There is no requirement for routine rubella antibody screening before vaccination. Women should avoid pregnancy for at least one month after receiving the MMR vaccine as a precaution ,.

Additional points: MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or immunocompromised individuals. If rubella vaccination is given inadvertently during pregnancy, there is no evidence of teratogenicity, but pregnancy should be avoided for one month post-vaccination ,.

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