TTC and rubella - having to wait four minths

[Celinefox]

Feeling really gutted as I have just found out (before third miscarriage) that I'm not immune to rubella. Gp says I need two jabs, with the second three months after the first. And then I cannot ttc until a month after the final jab. And I can't get booked in for the jab for another 4 weeks. So looking at stopping TTC until late June.

I've read a few different things on this, with lots of people needing to only wait a month, rather than the four months. I did have a jab as a child, there weren't boosters introduced at the time.

Does it sound right to have to wait the four months? I am so confused and disheartened.

Reading up suggests the gap between injections should be at least 4 weeks for MMR. (Think a longer gap is advised for the MMRV vaccine that includes one for chickenpox - not available in UK yet)

And then to wait 1 month after the final dose before TTC

Thanks, yes this is what I can find online too, but different to what GP is saying

Can you get a second opinion from a second GP?

It's only 4 months OP, it's really not a long time in the grand scheme of things, so I'd have the jabs and be patient.

It's really not that long, and it's more important you have that protection. Rubella is awful if you're pregnant. We took a few months off TTC after MC and I'm so pleased we did. It helped our relationship and emotional wellbeing to do so.

How did you find out that you weren’t immune?

GP did a range of bloods and included rubella in it, after I had an appointment due to difficulty conceiving and concerns about my progesterone levels.

Thanks, yes, I am wondering if it would be worth getting a second opinion as the information on line isn't aligning with what the GP has.swkd. I've asked the GP for clarification and to share any resources with me, so I can better understand, and will see if that helps first. And for me, it does feel like quite a long time, given my TTC journey and age - I certainly don't want to wait this long unless I do need to.

I would consider the following:
A single MMR jab is effective for most people to protect against rubella. The reason why 2 doses of MMR are offered is largely because the mumps bit works best with two doses.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7b362bed915d3ed9062e5f/Green-Book-Chapter-28-v2_0.pdf

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7a446ded915d1fb3cd6a43/Green-Book-Chapter-23-v2_0.pdf

There is hardly any rubella in the U.K. it is a notifiable disease and since 2019 no cases have been detected.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-mumps-and-rubella-lab-confirmed-cases-in-england-2023/laboratory-confirmed-cases-of-measles-rubella-and-mumps-in-england-january-to-march-2023

(The caveat to this is that there's obviously a measles outbreak at the moment which suggests a significant cohort of children who have not had MMR, so rates might go up)

The third point is that I tested rubella non immune despite being vaccinated at school as a teen and I was told that there was a good chance that I still wouldn't respond to further vaccination - some people just don't seroconvert with specific vaccines.

For me, I decided to have a single MMR dose and then attempt to conceive (particularly as I was older and felt like waiting might impact my chances of pregnancy). It's a very personal decision but I felt that the low chance of catching rubella in the first place and the fact that if the jab is going to work, one dose works for most meant that was the right thing for me. Good luck with whatever you decide

Just my own experience but I also had the jab as a child and when I got pregnant it was discovered, I didn't seem to have immunity. I sadly miscarried so when I went to try again, they suggested me getting the jab again. However when I went to get it, they said research showed I was unlikely to respond to it again if I didn't the first time.

Rubella is very uncommon here in Ireland but I was wary around hospitals and crowded areas. So I didn't get my jab, am still a little nervous about it as I know its really serious but they didn't want to give it to me a second time and I trust them.

Just to add, everyone is different so follow whatever your gp suggests ,

This is really helpful, thank you - feeling more informed is helping. I'm also concerned that waiting might impact my chance to conceive, and am now waiting to see what my doctor says after the question/concerns I've raised.

Thanks for your reply, and I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Interesting the different advice you were given r.e. a second jab too.

Yeah now I don't want to be influencing you either because you have to do what's right for you, but that was my experience

Thanks, yes, I do believe in trusting medical professionals, but might get a second opinion, so just being armed with a bit more knowledge helps.