I have to get a Rubella Vaccination but want to try to get pregnant.  How long do I have to wait?

Many women who are trying to conceive have a rubella test prior to getting pregnant as part of a battery of medical preparations.  If the rubella test shows they are not immune to rubella, it is usually recommended that they get vaccinated before trying to conceive their baby.

In general, it is recommended that a woman wait at least 2 full menstrual cycles before trying to conceive after having had a rubella vaccination.  Few studies have been done to show what effect the vaccine might have on a developing fetus, but in this instance it is probably best to err on the side of caution.

If you are already pregnant and are tested as being not immune to rubella, you cannot be vaccinated against rubella until after your baby is born.  If this is the case, you need to try not to be exposed to the rubella virus during the first 20 weeks of your pregnancy.