Refresher on rubella

The authors of a recent public health column in CMAJ state that “women of childbearing age should be given rubella vaccine unless they have proof of immunity, and they should be advised to avoid pregnancy for 3 months after vaccination.”1 However, a public health document cited in the column states that “women of childbearing age should be advised to avoid pregnancy for 1 month after immunization. This recommendation is based on the duration of viremia after natural infection and evidence of vaccine safety.”

I recently saw a patient who tested negative for rubella antibodies at her first visit. When recalled for a measles, mumps and rubella vaccination, she told me that she wanted to have a child and did not want to wait too long before trying to conceive. I thought a 3-month wait was required but found the 1-month recommendation2 when I double-checked the requirement.