MMR vaccine in the postpartum does not expose seronegative women to untoward effects.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess whether rubella vaccination immediately after delivery could expose seronegative women to specific untoward effects. METHODS 163 rubella-seronegative women received Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine in the immediate postpartum period; they were evaluated at one month and at three months thereafter through telephone interviews. As controls, we matched 163 rubella-seropositive women, who might experience similar symptoms for any reason in the same timeframe. RESULTS No relevant difference was still observed in the frequency of arthralgia and myalgia at one and three months. Instead, a statistically significant difference in the frequency of cervical lymphadenopathy and cutaneous rash at one month (p = 0.028 and p = 0.005, respectively), was observed between cases and controls. However, no statistical differences were reported at three months for the same symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Postpartum rubella vaccination with MMR is safe and advisable to avoid congenital rubella syndrome.