Rubella vaccine, joints

Rasagiline, 31.270 Rasburicase, 31.203 Renin inhibitors, 30.242 Rhesus anti-D, prophylaxis, 13.297 Ribavirin - - interferon, 30.344 Ribostamydn, and aminoglycosides, 15.270 Rocuronium, allergic reactions, 26.150 and pholcodine, 31.249 Rotashield, intussusception, 23.354 Rotavirus vaccine, Kawasaki disease, 31.522 Rubella vaccine, joints, 11.295... 

Acute arthritis/arthralgia due to rubella vaccine occurs more often and tends to be more severe in susceptible women than in children, usually involving the small peripheral joints. Joint symptoms generally begin 3-25 days... 

Data from the VAERS on arthritic reactions (arthralgia, arthrosis, arthritis, and joint disease) after rubella immunization during 1991-98 have been analysed (Table 3) (122). Hepatitis A vaccine-associated arthritic reactions reported to VAERS during 1997-98 were used as controls. The analysis confirmed that rubella vaccine is associated with a large number of arthritic reactions. Among the female subjects given rubella vaccine, these reactions occurred primarily in the adult women. The incidence of arthritic reactions was 126 per million rubella immunizations, whereas the hepatitis A vaccine adult control group had an incidence rate of 3.2 per million immunizations. 

Rubella vaccine (German measles vaccine, live. Meruvax II, Merck) is a live, attenuated ruhella virus produced in human diploid cell culture. The antigen form of the vaccine is whole virus. The antigen type is protein. The vaccine i.s administered as part of the normal immunization schedule at 15 month.s. Side effects arc minimal, but there may be some soreness and pain at the site of injection and. stiffness of the joints. 

Adverse effects of the rubella virus vaccine tend to increase with the age of the recipient. Symptoms are similar to wild-virus infection and include lymphadenopathy, rash, urticaria, fever, malaise, sore throat, headache, myalgias, and paresthesias of the extremities. These occur 7 to 12 days after vaccination and last 1 to 5 days. Joint symptoms occur more often in susceptible postpubertal females. Arthralgia occurs in 25% of such vaccinees, and 10% will have arthritislike symptoms. These symptoms usually begin 1 to 3 weeks after vaccination and persist for 1 day to 3 weeks. A very small excess risk of chronic arthropathy exists. The vaccine may cause suppression of tuberculin skin tests for up to 6 weeks after vaccination. While the vaccine virus may be excreted in nose and throat secretions, it is not contagious. 

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