[Vaccines and anti-rubella immunity (author's transl)]

The teratogenic effect of maternal rubella virus infection upon the offspring is well established. The present article deals with the problem of susceptibility to rubella infection among women in prepubertal and postpubertal age. The sieropositivity values in female populations from different italian areas are reported. The different types of vaccines for rubella and the preparation techniques are reviewed, and the immunity either induced by natural virus infection or acquired through vaccination is discussed. The conclusion is drawn that it is useful to offer rubella vaccine to girls and that, as far as it is known at present, the vaccine RA 27/3 is the most reliable.