It has been estimated that one in five young adults is susceptible to rubella in the United States. Rubella is especially dangerous in women infected during the first few months of pregnancy because the virus can severely damage the fetus. Blood tests are used to measure the amount of rubella antibodies in a person's blood. If a test shows rubella antibodies are present, a person is immune. If no rubella antibodies are present, a person is not protected against rubella.
Rubella vaccine has an excellent record for safety.
Swelling of the lymph glands in the neck or a rash could happen one to two weeks after getting the rubella vaccine. Mild pain or stiffness in the joints lasting three days may happen one to three weeks after getting the shot. By ensuring that children are vaccinated at appropriate ages. People with rubella should be separated from non-immune people. This includes exclusion from public settings such as day-care centers, schools, or work.