Rubella Virus Vaccine

Pronunciation: roo-BELL-a
Generic Name: Rubella Virus Vaccine
Brand Name: Meruvax II

Rubella Virus Vaccine is used for:

Preventing rubella (German measles).

Rubella Virus Vaccine is a vaccine. It works by stimulating the body to produce antibodies to rubella.

Do NOT use Rubella Virus Vaccine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Rubella Virus Vaccine


• you have a weakened immune system (eg, advanced HIV, AIDS, decreased gammaglobulin levels), blood problems, or tuberculosis (TB)


• you are pregnant

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Rubella Virus Vaccine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Rubella Virus Vaccine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you are allergic to neomycin


• if you have a fever, a tumor, HIV, or a family history of weak immune systems


• if you have had a recent blood or plasma transfusion, or have received immune globulin or a tuberculin test

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Rubella Virus Vaccine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the effectiveness of Rubella Virus Vaccine may be decreased, or risk of infection may be increased


• Immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine) because the effectiveness of Rubella Virus Vaccine may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Rubella Virus Vaccine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Rubella Virus Vaccine:

Use Rubella Virus Vaccine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Rubella Virus Vaccine is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Rubella Virus Vaccine at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.


• If Rubella Virus Vaccine contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Rubella Virus Vaccine, contact your doctor to set up a new dosing schedule.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Rubella Virus Vaccine.

Important safety information:

• Rubella Virus Vaccine may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Rubella Virus Vaccine.


• Adult women may experience joint pain 2 to 4 weeks after receiving this injection. This usually lasts only a short time. However, these symptoms have persisted for months or, rarely, years.


• Rubella Virus Vaccine may decrease the effectiveness of tuberculin tests. If you are scheduled to have a TB test within 6 weeks after receiving this vaccination, contact your doctor. You may need to reschedule your TB test.


• Keep written documentation of all vaccinations received to help avoid unnecessary doses.


• Use of Rubella Virus Vaccine is not recommended in CHILDREN younger than 12 months of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Rubella Virus Vaccine if you are pregnant. If you suspect that you could be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. Avoid becoming pregnant for at least 3 months after receiving Rubella Virus Vaccine. Rubella Virus Vaccine is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Rubella Virus Vaccine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Rubella Virus Vaccine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Burning or stinging at the injection site; diarrhea; dizziness; fever; general feeling of being unwell; headache; irritability; muscle or joint ache; nausea; tiredness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; unusual bruising or bleeding; vision or hearing changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Rubella Virus side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Rubella Virus Vaccine:

Rubella Virus Vaccine is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Rubella Virus Vaccine at home, store Rubella Virus Vaccine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Rubella Virus Vaccine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Rubella Virus Vaccine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Rubella Virus Vaccine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Rubella Virus Vaccine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Rubella Virus Vaccine resources

• Rubella Virus Vaccine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Rubella Virus Vaccine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Rubella Virus Vaccine Drug Interactions
• Rubella Virus Vaccine Support Group
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