The number of babies suffering birth defects as a result of rubella infection has fallen from 200 to 300 a year before 1970 to an average of four between 1991 and 1995. The authors say these figures show both the immediate and continuing impact of the vaccination programme. However, fears about the safety of the combined MMR vaccine were publicised in 1995. Devastating birth defects Rubella is a mild disease in children, but if they infect a pregnant woman it can have severe effects on the unborn child. Vaccination aims to protect pregnant women Professor Catherine Peckham, of the Institute of Child Health in London, is one of the report's authors.
Rubella is very serious if it occurs in pregnancy.
But vaccines have prevented that - we know that from the epidemics we've seen in the past. She said the key to ensuring there were as few cases as possible was mass vaccination. You're preventing the growth of the reservoir of infection in the community so that women who are susceptible won't be exposed. Evidence published in The Lancet medical journal suggests that the combined jab may cause autism and Crohn's disease. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and Crohn's disease affects the bowels.