antenatal screening programme

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Rubella susceptibility

Rubella is a viral disease. It is no longer a common disease of childhood in the UK, due to the success of the MMR vaccine. But it is still a concern if the infection occurs during pregnancy. This is because the infection may pass to the baby with serious consequences.

Read more about rubella on the NHS website.

UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in May 2012.

Screening is not currently recommended for this condition.

The UK NSC no longer recommends screening for rubella susceptibility in pregnancy. The screening programme stopped on 1 April 2016.

In the UK very few babies are born with rubella. Screening pregnant women to find out if they are immune to rubella is not the best way to stop infection in babies. This is because pregnant women cannot be vaccinated. The best way to protect the general public from rubella is by vaccinating children with the MMR vaccine.

Since screening stopped the number of cases of rubella has been monitored. If a large increase in the number of cases is found, then the UK NSC will review this decision again.

Supporting documents from the 2012 review

Evidence summary Rubella susceptibility (2012)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.

UK NSC coversheet & consultation responses rubella susceptibility (2012)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.

Review cycle

Date previous review completed: 2012

Next review estimated to be completed: 2021 to 2022.

To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.

Organisations interested in Rubella susceptibility

These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.

List of organisations

If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.