Susceptibility to rubella virus among Sri Lankan women.
Immunity to the rubella virus was tested in 534 women in the childbearing age by the haemolysis-in-gel test, and 228 (43%) were found to be susceptible. This level of susceptibility is higher than that found in most temperate countries and mainland populations, and similar to descriptions in a few island and rural populations in the tropics. Although rubella epidemics do not occur in Sri Lanka, cases of congenital rubella and rubella complicating pregnancy are diagnosed. But the risk of congenital deformity in the foetus is not sufficient cause for a legal abortion in Sri Lanka. Under the circumstances it appears appropriate to use the measles--mumps--rubella vaccine rather than the measles vaccine for vaccination of infants or to introduce rubella vaccination of teen-age girls or female school leavers. Furthermore wherever possible, primipara could be screened by inexpensive methods such as the haemolysis-in-gel test and offered rubella vaccination after partus.