rubella virus vaccine, live

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum  

Actions: 

• Induces Immune Response: When the rubella virus vaccine is administered, the attenuated virus replicates in the body at a limited rate. This replication is sufficient to trigger the immune system but not strong enough to cause the disease. The immune system recognizes the presence of the virus and mounts a protective response, producing specific antibodies against the rubella virus. 
• Formation of Memory Cells: The vaccine also stimulates the production of memory cells, which are specialized immune cells that “remember” the rubella virus. These memory cells remain in the body for an extended period, providing long-lasting immunity against future infections. 
• Prevention of rubella: The primary action of the rubella virus vaccine is to prevent rubella infections in individuals who receive it. By developing immunity through vaccination, the body can effectively fight off the virus if exposed to it in the future. 

Spectrum: 

The vaccine provides a broad spectrum of protection against rubella infection and its potential complications, including: 

• Preventing rubella: The vaccine prevents the occurrence of rubella, a viral infection that can lead to a characteristic rash, fever, and other flu-like symptoms. 
• Congenital rubella Syndrome (CRS) Prevention: rubella infection during pregnancy can be hazardous as it can lead to congenital rubella syndrome. CRS can cause severe congenital disabilities in the developing fetus, including hearing loss, eye abnormalities, heart defects, and intellectual disabilities. The rubella vaccine helps prevent rubella in pregnant women, reducing the risk of CRS. 
• Herd Immunity: Widespread vaccination against rubella can also contribute to herd immunity, which occurs when a significant portion of the population is immune to a disease. This indirectly protects those who cannot receive the vaccine, such as individuals with weakened immune systems or certain medical conditions. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Erythema 

Wheal 

Pain 

Erythema 

Anaphylaxis 

Vasculitis 

Urticaria 

Rash 

Nausea 

Pancreatitis 

Purpura 

Muscle pain 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning: 

None 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindications: 

• Severe allergy 
• Immunodeficiency 
• Pregnancy 

Cautions: 

• Recent blood product administration 
• History of thrombocytopenia 
• Mild to moderate illness 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:  

US FDA Pregnancy category: C 

Breastfeeding warnings:  

The excretion of the drug in breast milk is unknown. 

Pregnancy category: 

Category A: well-controlled and satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 

Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women. 

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.    

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: No data is available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology:  

• Immunogenicity: The live rubella virus vaccine elicits an immune response in the body. Once the vaccine is administered, the attenuated virus replicates in a limited manner, leading to the activation of the immune system. 
• Humoral Immunity: The vaccine primarily stimulates the production of specific antibodies against the rubella virus. These antibodies, known as anti-rubella antibodies, target and neutralize the virus, preventing it from causing infection. 
• Cellular Immunity: The rubella vaccine also triggers cellular immune responses besides humoral immunity. It activates T-lymphocytes (T-cells), which are instrumental in recognizing and destroying infected cells that contain the rubella virus. 
• Memory Immune Response: One of the essential features of the rubella vaccine live is its ability to induce memory immune responses. After vaccination, memory cells are formed, which “remember” the rubella virus. These memory cells persist in the body for an extended period, providing long-term protection against future rubella infections. 
• Prevention of rubella: The primary goal of the rubella virus vaccine is to prevent rubella infections. By eliciting a robust immune response, the vaccine helps the body mount a rapid and effective defense against the rubella virus if the person is exposed to the virus in the future. 
• Top of Form 

Pharmacodynamics: 

• Antigen Presentation: When the rubella virus vaccine is administered, the attenuated live virus replicates in the body at a limited rate. The viral particles are taken up by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). 
• Activation of Adaptive Immune Response: The antigen-presenting cells process the viral antigens and present them to T-lymphocytes (T-cells) and B-lymphocytes (B-cells). This interaction stimulates the adaptive immune response, which is highly specific to the rubella virus. 
• B-Cell Activation and Antibody Production: B-cells are activated by the presented antigens, leading to their proliferation and differentiation into plasma cells. Plasma cells secrete specific antibodies, called anti-rubella antibodies, into the bloodstream. 
• Humoral Immunity: The antibodies produced in response to the rubella virus vaccine are critical for humoral immunity. These antibodies circulate in the blood and other body fluids, ready to neutralize the rubella virus if it enters the body. 
• Memory Immune Response: One of the crucial aspects of the rubella vaccine life is its ability to induce memory immune responses. Memory B-cells and T-cells are formed during the immune response, providing long-term immunity against the rubella virus. These memory cells “remember” the rubella virus and can rapidly mount a defense if the individual is exposed to the virus again. 
• Cellular Immunity: Besides humoral immunity, the live rubella vaccine elicits cellular immune responses. T-cells play a crucial role in cellular immunity by recognizing and destroying cells infected with the rubella virus. This helps to clear the virus from the body and prevent its further spread. 

Pharmacokinetics: 

• Absorption: The rubella virus vaccine live is typically administered through subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. After injection, the attenuated virus replicates at a limited rate at the injection site. The immune system recognizes the presence of the virus and initiates an immune response. 
• Distribution: The vaccine virus may disseminate from the injection site to other body parts through the lymphatic system. As the immune response is triggered, various immune cells, such as B-cells and T-cells, encounter the viral antigens and become activated, producing specific antibodies against the rubella virus. 
• Metabolism: As a live vaccine, the rubella virus vaccine does not undergo typical metabolic processes as drugs do. Instead, the attenuated virus replicates in a limited manner, serving as the antigen to stimulate the immune response. This immune response is what confers protection against rubella in the future. 
• Elimination: The attenuated rubella virus in the vaccine does not persist in the body indefinitely. Over time, the replication of the virus decreases, and it is eventually cleared from the body.  

Adminstartion

Administration: 

• Healthcare Setting: The rubella vaccine is usually administered in a healthcare setting, such as a doctor’s office, clinic, or vaccination center. Trained healthcare professionals, such as nurses or doctors, perform the vaccination. 
• Age for Vaccination: The rubella virus vaccine is typically given to children as part of the recommended childhood vaccination schedule. It is usually administered as part of a combination vaccine known as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) or the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. 
• Booster Doses: In some countries, a booster dose of the rubella virus vaccine may be recommended for specific age groups or individuals. This is often done to maintain long-term immunity against rubella. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: rubella virus vaccine, live 

Pronounced as: roo-BELL-a-VYE-rus-VAX-een, lyve 

Why do we use the rubella virus vaccine live? 

rubella virus vaccine live is used for the following indications: 

• Prevention of rubella: The main goal of administering the rubella virus vaccine is to prevent rubella infections. By vaccinating individuals against rubella, the vaccine helps reduce the virus’s spread in the population. 
• Congenital rubella Syndrome (CRS) Prevention: One of the most critical reasons for vaccinating against rubella is to prevent Congenital rubella Syndrome (CRS). CRS can lead to severe congenital disabilities, including hearing loss, eye abnormalities, heart defects, and intellectual disabilities. 
• Herd Immunity: Widespread vaccination against rubella contributes to herd immunity. When a significant portion of the population is immune to the virus, it creates a protective barrier, reducing the likelihood of the virus spreading to vulnerable individuals who cannot receive the vaccine, such as those with weakened immune systems or certain medical conditions. 
• Long-Lasting Immunity: The rubella virus vaccine live elicits a robust and long-lasting immune response. After receiving the vaccine, most individuals develop protective immunity against rubella, lasting many years or even a lifetime.