Licensed vaccines

The cell substrate, virus strain, route of administration, and safety of the rubella vaccines were all considered given the experience with other vaccines. Tissues from closed colonies of ducks, rabbits, and quails-in addition to human diploid cells-are now well established as suitable substrates. Production of rubella vaccine is now based on the principle that the vaccine virus is a live attenuated strain. RA27/3, Cendehill, Takahashi, Matsuura, and HPV-77 were initially licensed in 1969-1970; HPV-77 grown in dog kidney cells has since been withdrawn. The subcutaneous route of administration is the most acceptable. Safe and effective vaccines include RA27/3 and Cendehill, which are widely available, and five other vaccines grown in two tissues available only in Japan. The key issue is the extent to which the vaccines should be used alone or together with other vaccines in individual countries. The World Health Organization's requirements for the vaccines, first formulated in 1976, are open to revision. These requirements did not include a test for stability, which will be especially pertinent in the developing world.