Guidance on Strengthening Measures for Prevention and Control of Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome｜Japan Institute for Health Security The Infectious Disease Information Website

(IASR 34: 90, April 2013)

January 29, 2013 issued
[February 26, 2013 amended]

Guidance on Strengthening Measures for Prevention and Control of Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome

(Extract)

Notice to Health Authorities in Prefectures, Cities having Health Centers, and Special Wards

For prevention of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), sufficient information on CRS

should be given to unvaccinated persons for rubella, persons without rubella infection

history, women expecting pregnancy and health care workers involved in perinatal care.

It is further requested:

1. To conduct active vaccine campaign targeting eligible population groups for routine

vaccination;
2. To give thorough explanations on CRS preventive measures to;

- the husband, children and other family members of pregnant woman;

- women in 10s-40s, particularly those expecting pregnancy;
- and women in early puerperal phase; and

to consider vaccination on voluntary basis unless their rubella antibody titer is

sufficiently high.

3. To advise obstetrics and gynecology medical professionals to provide the pregnant

women’s families with necessary information. Appropriate counseling should be

provided to pregnant women who are found or suspected to be infected with rubella

so that the diagnosis may not cause unnecessary anxiety in them.

4. To make all the pediatric hospitals aware that:

- CRS belongs to a disease category, which Infectious Diseases Control Law

requests reporting of the all cases

- In prefectures where rubella cases are increasing, babies born to rubella

antibody negative or weakly positive mothers should be followed carefully

taking the possibility of CRS into account