Assessment of rubella immunity in women born in 1959-74 in a solo rural general practice

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the rubella immunity of all women in the practice born 1959-74.

Method: A chart audit followed by offering testing to all women whose rubella status was unknown.

Results: According to their records, of 203 female patients born 1959-74, 149 (73%) were immune to rubella and 54 were not. All of the 54 nonimmune women agreed to rubella testing and only three were found to be susceptible. These three women had never been pregnant before, none were from the higher risk cohort born 1965-7 and all accepted vaccination.

Conclusion: For general practitioners it is important to assess the rubella immunity of all women of childbearing age in their practice, especially those who have never been pregnant and not just the high risk cohort born 1965-7.