An opportunistic approach to rubella screening in general practice

An opportunistic rubella screening programme in a general practice is described. Self-adhesive stickers placed on the medical records envelope were used to alert staff and to record information on rubella status. Out of the total target population of women aged between 10 and 40 years, three sample cohorts were audited: the 15, 20 and 30 years age groups. Between the first and second audits a practice policy on rubella immunization screening was implemented over a period of 11 months. After 11 months the proportions of 20- and 30-year-olds whose rubella status was known had risen from 50% to 88% and from 67% to 87% respectively. For the 15-year-old cohort, which would have been included in the schools immunization programme, the increase was negligible. Serological testing in the practice identified 24 women (7% of all those tested) who were seronegative and to date 19 of these women have been vaccinated. The screening method was shown to be simple and effective and to involve little extra staff time.