Rubella vaccination programme in Malaysia: analysis of a seroprevalence study in an antenatal clinic

In many developed countries, the incidence of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is considered to be negligible due to the availability of an effective vaccine. However, in Malaysia, several CRS cases are seen every year. This casts doubt on the effectiveness of the rubella vaccination programme. Very few seroprevalence studies were done over the years, making it difficult to discuss the effectiveness of the vaccination programme. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of rubella immunity among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in a local teaching hospital. The hospital database on rubella immunity was assessed retrospectively from August 2001 to June 2002. A cross-sectional study of interviewed method as well as determination of rubella immunity by laboratory tests were carried out in July 2002. A total of 414 women were included, of whom 134 women were interviewed. The rubella immunity status was 92.3%. Based on this figure, rubella vaccination programme in Malaysia is a success despite the presence of CRS cases. Malaysia must ensure rubella vaccine coverage among target groups is high in order to minimise CRS cases.