Clinical relactions following rubella vaccination. A prospective analysis of joint, muscular, and neuritic symptoms

A prospective study of rubella vaccine-associated joint, muscular, and neuritic reactions was conducted in Louisiana and North Carolina. Children, ages 1 to 12 years, received one of three currently licensed rubella vaccines. Vaccinates were then surveyed by mail during a 60-day postvaccination period, and reactors were interviewed. Cendehill and DE-5 vaccinates had similar incidence rates of reaction. Reactions to both vaccines were mild, transient, and comparable as to sites of involvement. Both vaccine groups had similar frequencies of arthritis and paresthesia. DK-12 vaccine produced a higher reaction rate, longer-duration symptoms, and a higher rate of arthritis and paresthesia than DE-5 vaccine. Cendehill and DE-5 rubella vaccines have an acceptably low rate of reactions for use in public programs. Factors other than vaccine strain may have a role in determining vaccine-associated reaction rates.