Do GPs in the U.K. still test for rubella immunity pre-TTC?

[Lagirl20]

I’d like to be tested for immunity to rubella before TTC.
Do GPs in the U.K. still test for this pre-TTC?
I’m wondering if my GP will refuse the test or think I’m mad for asking. I had the MMR vaccine as a child as far as I know, and I’m in my mid thirties.

have they ever?
I never got tested (8pg, 7 kids & 1 MC)

@Lagirl20 I requested this last week. GP said his system was suggesting it’s only bookable for pregnant women and he said he’d try to put it through. Whether it worked remains to be seen, I’ve not picked my test forms up yet.

I was only tested during pregnancy and had to get the jab after.

I asked for it a few years ago, pre (private) IVF. It was quite the song and dance to get it taken, despite the fact it’s v important to be immune during pregnancy and you’d think it’d be viewed as good common, preventative sense to test before there’s a (potentially catastrophic) problem.

Typical NHS exonomica, I suppose - they’d rather save a fiver now and spend it four times a little further down the lone.

I doubt that you will be able to get this done. The screening in pregnancy was stopped a few years. The reasons for that are equally applicable to testing before TTC. Details here www.gov.uk/government/news/rubella-susceptibility-screening-in-pregnancy-to-end-in-england

I'm 29, I had the MMR vaccine when I was little. DS was born in April, this test was never mentioned to me.

But my friend had the test during her first pregnancy five years ago! We are in different locations so maybe it varies by area..? Both in the East Midlands.

Ohh cross posted with @Losttheequipment, that explains it!

Also, there hasn’t been a case of rubella in the U.K. since 2019, and for several years before that there were only isolated cases that were acquired abroad. Actual numbers here

I had the test done while undergoing fertility testing, it was done before doctor would prescribe me clomid, I had the jab as a child but my test came back as no immunity, had the jab by this point I was 21 and had to wait 3 months before TTC again but a second blood test showed still no immunity, was offered a further jab but declined, if the last 2 hadn't worked it was never going to. I now have 4dc and never had rubella in any pregnancy.

@Maidmummy that’s interesting. I’m also getting it for fertility testing and want to get on with it because of the delay. I don’t know how it works, does the immunity fade over time? I’ve wondered this because I had mumps in my 20s and I’m sure I remember having at least one mmr at school (I’m too old to have had it as a baby).

No idea if it fades over time but seeing as I had no immunity after the second jab I'm assuming it just never worked in the first place, I'm sure the current guidelines is one jab as a baby then another in with pre school boosters so I've had 3 in total and still nothing, hopefully it comes back that you have immunity x

@Maidmummy how strange that it never seemed to work. Fingers crossed I have it. Would certainly save a bit of time if I do!

I only got tested for it once I got to the investigation stage for infertility

It’s tested before fertility treatments but there aren’t usually any pre-pregnancy tests as vast majority women present to their GP pregnant and don’t have/need pre-pregnancy counselling.

I think if you have 2 documented MMR then I’m not sure they give further boosters.

As pp said it’s exceptionally rare.

Very reasonable to ask GP but can see debatable if worth doing.

Im having mine tested as been ttc for 12 months with no luck.
I've had mine tested previously as work in the NHS. I have no rubella antibodies and have had the MMR vaccine 5 times 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Lagirl20 FYI my GP added rubella to my screening forms when I picked them up today so the request worked.

[quote Losttheequipment]I doubt that you will be able to get this done. The screening in pregnancy was stopped a few years. The reasons for that are equally applicable to testing before TTC. Details here www.gov.uk/government/news/rubella-susceptibility-screening-in-pregnancy-to-end-in-england[/quote]
That’s really interesting - I remember mine was tested when I was pg with DD (2013). I was one of the last cohorts not to be given MMR in childhood - my sister (born in 1981) was in the first 1-2 years of it being rolled out nationally in the U.K.

So pretty much every woman aged 40 or younger will have been in a cohort where MMR was routine in childhood and the U.K.-wide take up of that has always been high enough to give herd immunity to rubella, I think. So within about five years most fertile women will probably have had the childhood MMR jab.

I had a separate rubella jab aged about 12. I wonder when that stopped or did that programme run concurrently with childhood MMR?

Mine has only been tested as I am undergoing private IVF. Had my MMR in 1989, can't find any evidence of a booster but if it was offered, you can be damn sure my mum booked it! Lo and behold, I am not immune. I have been allowed to proceed with a waiver given to the clinic that I am aware of the risks and have chosen to proceed. Given there have been no cases for 2 years and very low cases before that, I feel okay about my choice.

As others I was tested at my fertility clinic.
Had the jab when I was younger but wasn't immune

Thanks everyone for your replies. Especially @Losttheequipment - I had no idea that rates were so low, which is reassuring. ☺️