Background: The aim of this study was to assess whether rubella vaccination immediately after delivery could expose seronegative women to specific untoward effects.
Methods: 163 rubella-seronegative women received Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine in the immediate postpartum period; they were evaluated at one month and at three months thereafter through telephone interviews. As controls, we matched 163 rubella-seropositive women, who might experience similar symptoms for any reason in the same timeframe.
Results: No relevant difference was still observed in the frequency of arthralgia and myalgia at one and three months. Instead, a statistically significant difference in the frequency of cervical lymphadenopathy and cutaneous rash at one month (p = 0.028 and p = 0.005, respectively), was observed between cases and controls. However, no statistical differences were reported at three months for the same symptoms.
Conclusions: Postpartum rubella vaccination with MMR is safe and advisable to avoid congenital rubella syndrome.