title: Follow-up study of unknowingly pregnant women vaccinated against rubella in Brazil, 2001-2002.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brazil conducted mass immunization of women of childbearing age in 2001 and 2002. Surveillance was initiated for vaccination of women during pregnancy to monitor the effects of rubella vaccination on fetal outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women vaccinated while pregnant or prior to conception were reported to the surveillance system. Susceptibility to rubella infection was determined by anti-rubella immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG immunoassays. Susceptible women were observed through delivery. Live-born infants were tested for anti-rubella IgM antibody; IgM-seropositive newborns were tested for viral shedding and observed for 12 months for signs of congenital rubella syndrome. Incidence of congenital rubella infection was calculated using data from 7 states.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 22 708 cases of rubella vaccination during pregnancy or prior to conception were reported nationwide, 20,536 (90%) of which were from 7 of 27 states in Brazil. Of these, 2332 women were susceptible to rubella infection at vaccination. Sixty-seven (4.1%) of 1647 newborns had rubella IgM antibody (incidence rate, 4.1 congenital infections per 100 susceptible women vaccinated during pregnancy [95% confidence interval, 3.2-5.1]). None of the infants infected with rubella vaccine virus was born with congenital rubella syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As rubella elimination goals are adopted worldwide, evidence of rubella vaccine safety aids in planning and implementation of mass adult immunization.
authors.affiliation: National Immunization Program, Fundação Nacional de Saúde, FUNASA, Brasilia. castalia@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Rosa Castalia
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Marilda M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: Cristiana Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Toscano
authors.forename: Maria de Lourdes S
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flannery
authors.forename: Helena K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Rosane M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Will
authors.forename: Regina C M
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Imaculada C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Tânia Cristina
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: G R S
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Sá
authors.forename: Marta Ferreira
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Rego
authors.forename: Sueli P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Curti
authors.forename: Xênia R
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morhdieck
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stürmer
authors.forename: Maria José C
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Jarbas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barbosa da Silva Junior
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castillo-Solórzano
authors.forename: Luiz A B
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Camacho
authors.forename: Expedito
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Luna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012409:Rubella / Q000151:congenital* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012411:Rubella Vaccine