Surveillance of congenital rubella in Great Britain, 1971-96

Before rubella vaccine was introduced for schoolgirls and susceptible women in 1970, 200-300 babies were born annually in England and Wales with congenital defects associated with maternal rubella. In 1988 the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine was introduced for all 1 year olds; in 1994, to help avert a predicted measles epidemic, all 5-16 year olds were offered combined measles and rubella vaccine. The schoolgirl immunisation programme has now ceased, but antenatal screening continues, with postpartum vaccination for susceptible women. We report the findings from the national congenital rubella surveillance programme from 1971 to 1996.