An Open Community Trial of Live Rubella Vaccines

Abstract

Six hundred and thirty six families including 1,686 children participated in a trial of HPV-77-derived live attenuated rubella virus vaccines. Transmission of vaccine virus was not observed among 347 susceptible household contacts of vaccinated children. The observed absence of transmission of vaccine virus indicates that vaccination of children is unlikely to represent a hazard to their pregnant mother. Antibody levels induced by vaccination were lower than those induced by natural disease. Statistically significant differences in antigenic efficacy were observed among the three vaccines tested. The paucity of data so far available on long-term protection afforded by vaccination and on susceptibility to reinfection among vaccines and its significance make it advisable to continue the surveillance of children that participated in controlled trials.