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Brand Names: Meruvax II

Generic Name: rubella virus vaccine (Pronunciation: roo BEL a VYE rus vax EEN)

• What is rubella virus vaccine (Meruvax II)?
• What are the possible side effects of rubella virus vaccines (Meruvax II)?
• What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine (Meruvax II)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine (Meruvax II)?
• How is this vaccine given (Meruvax II)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Meruvax II)?
• What happens if I overdose (Meruvax II)?
• What should I avoid before or after receiving this vaccine (Meruvax II)?
• What other drugs will affect rubella virus vaccine (Meruvax II)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is rubella virus vaccine (Meruvax II)?

Rubella is a serious disease caused by a virus. It is spread from person to person through the air.

Rubella virus (also called German Measles) causes skin rash, fever, swollen glands, and joint pain. Becoming infected with rubella during pregnancy can result in a miscarriage or serious birth defects.

The rubella virus vaccine is used to help prevent this disease in adults and children who are at least 12 months old.

This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus or a protein from the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Rubella virus vaccine is for use in children between the ages of 12 months and 6 years old, and in adults who have never received the vaccine or had the diseases.

Although immunization against rubella virus is available in a single vaccine, it may be best for you to receive a combination measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Like any vaccine, the rubella virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What are the possible side effects of rubella virus vaccines (Meruvax II)?

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with measles, mumps, or rubella is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• high fever (within a few hours or a few days after the vaccine);
• swollen glands;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• joint swelling or stiffness that continues for several weeks after vaccination;
• weakness, severe lower back pain, numbness or tingly feeling in your feet and spreading upward;
• problems with hearing, vision, speech, swallowing, or bladder and bowel functions;
• slow heart rate, trouble breathing, feeling like you might pass out;
• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
• severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious side effects include:

• low fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose;
• headache, dizziness, feeling tired or irritable;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• joint or muscle pain;
• numbness or tingly feeling; or
• redness, pain, swelling, or a lump where the shot was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine (Meruvax II)?

Although immunization against rubella virus is available in a single vaccine, it may be best for you to receive a combination measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Follow your doctor's instructions.

The first rubella virus vaccine is usually given to a child who is 12 to 15 month old. The booster shots are then given between 4 and 6 years of age. A measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine should then be given before the child starts elementary school.

Adults born after 1956 should receive at least one measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination if they have never had the diseases or received an MMR vaccine during their lifetime.

Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Be sure you receive all recommended doses of this vaccine. If you do not receive the full series of vaccines, you may not be fully protected against the disease.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold or low fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with rubella is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

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