Rubella vaccination: a study in adult male volunteers

One hundred adult male volunteers were randomized to receive either Merieux or Wellcome RA27/3 rubella vaccine. Prior to vaccination, 10% of the subjects were seronegative and all of these seroconverted. No significant boosting effect was found in those with a high pre-vaccine titre but some boost was shown in those with a low level. Side-effects reported were mild and self-limiting. No clinically or statistically significant difference could be found between the two vaccines. It is suggested that in view of the finding of 10% seronegative adult males it would be worthwhile considering routine screening of all medical staff who have contact with women in the early months of pregnancy.