SIDE EFFECTS: Pain/redness/swelling at the injection site may occur. Other side effects may include fever, irritability, mild swollen glands (lymph nodes), measles-like rash, hives, tiredness, sore throat, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and body aches. These rubella-like symptoms may occur 11 to 20 days after vaccination and are usually mild and temporary, often persisting 1 to 5 days. If any of these effects last longer than 5 days or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. However, report all side effects to the doctor.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: joint pain/stiffness, tingling/numbness/pain in the arms/legs, fainting.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: persistent joint pain/stiffness, easy bruising/bleeding within 2 weeks to 2 months of vaccination, swollen/painful testicles in men, inability to make muscles of the legs/arms work (paralysis), seizures, mental/mood changes (e.g., unusual behavior, severe drowsiness, stiff neck, visual sensitivity to light), decreased hearing, vision problems.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US, you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Read the Meruvax (rubella virus vaccine live) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

PRECAUTIONS: Before receiving rubella virus vaccine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as neomycin, gelatin), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: illness with a high fever over 101 degrees F (38 degrees C), decreased immune function from other medications (see also Drug Interactions), decreased immune function from other illness (e.g., advanced HIV/AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma, other cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymph nodes), immune problems with certain white blood cells (T-cells), low or abnormal blood antibodies (hypogammaglobulinemia, dysgammaglobulinemia), untreated tuberculosis (TB) infection.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: low blood clotting cells (platelets), HIV infection without symptoms, brain injury, seizures due to fever.

This medication must not be used during pregnancy. There is some risk that it may harm an unborn baby. If you have been vaccinated with rubella virus vaccine, you should not become pregnant for at least 3 months after the vaccination. Discuss the possible risks with your doctor.

The live, weakened virus in this vaccine is known to pass into breast milk. Rare cases of mild illness in nursing infants have been reported. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Even if your nursing infant is exposed to rubella virus from breast-feeding, he/she should still receive the vaccine at 12 months.