§ Dr. BrandTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to make available a less toxic and more effective Rubella vaccine. [31331]
§ Ms JowellRubella vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines available: over 95 per cent. of people who receive the vaccine will become immune to natural rubella486W infection following the immunisation. We are not aware of any concerns about the toxicity of the vaccine which is subject to batch testing prior to release by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control. Recognised serious adverse reactions are very rare and occur much less frequently than those that occur after natural rubella infection.
It is recognised that joint pains are among the most common side-effects of natural rubella infection, particularly in women. Joint symptoms are also reported 10 to 28 days after immunisation against rubella but usually last only a few days. Such reactions are actually very rare in children and ongoing arthritis is not a recognised side effect. A number of recent studies have looked at the association between rubella vaccine and arthritis and there is increasing evidence becoming available that there is no increased risk of new onset chronic arthropathies or neurological conditions in women receiving rubella vaccine.