title: Maternal rubella at St. Thomas' Hospital: is there a need to change British vaccination policy?
abstract: During the 28 weeks starting April 3, 1978, 269 pregnant women were assessed serologically because of exposure to or development of rubella-like illnesses, this number being four times greater than that during either of the previous 2 years. Only 33 (12%) of these patients had previously been given rubella vaccine. Rubella was confirmed serologically in 17 patients; among patients attending antenatal clinics the overall risk of acquiring infection was about 1 in 155. The mean age of patients acquiring maternal rubella was 27.9 years, and all but 1 had left school before the rubella vaccination programme started. 55 (92%) of 60 household contacts were children, of whom 24 (40%) were of preschool age and 13 (21.7%) aged less than 2 years. The interval between contact and presentation for serological studies was often long and, because of this, 79 sera had to be tested for virus-specific IgM. No drastic change in rubella vaccination policy is required but there should be more emphasis on vaccination of women of childbearing age.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D008131:London; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012306:Risk; D012409:Rubella / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D012411:Rubella Vaccine