ASSESSMENT OF RUBELLA IMMUNITY IN WOMEN BORN IN 1959-74 IN A SOLO RURAL GENERAL-PRACTICE

Aim. To evaluate the rubella immunity of all women in the practice bor n 1959-74. Method. A chart audit followed by offering testing to all w omen whose rubella status was unknown. Results. According to their rec ords, of 203 female patients born 1959-74, 149 (73%) were immune to ru bella and 54 were not. All of the 54 nonimmune women agreed to rubella testing and only three were found to be susceptible. These three wome n had never been pregnant before, none were from the higher risk cohor t born 1965-7 and all accepted vaccination. Conclusion. For general pr actitioners it is important to assess the rubella immunity of all wome n of childbearing age in their practice, especially those who have nev er been pregnant and not just the high risk cohort born 1965-7.