VoICE Immunization Evidence: Maternal Health
Key Idea
Mothers infected with rubella virus during the first trimester of pregnancy can give birth to children with permanent disabilities such as intellectual impairment, autism, blindness, deafness and cardiac defects. The infection is completely preventable if mothers are vaccinated before pregnancy.
Andrus, J.K., Cochi, S.L., Cooper, L.Z., et al 2016. Combining global elimination of measles and rubella with strengthening of health systems in developing countries. Health Affairs. 35(2):327-33.