Men can contract and rubella infection in pregnant women.

The national campaign of vaccination against rubella was launched two years ago is repeated in these months, this time aimed at men. From September 29 to November 30 will be vaccinated free of charge to those who are between 16 and 39 years.


Eradication of rubella virus is the goal. Mass vaccination campaigns, how to achieve it. In 2006 the National Ministry of Health promoted the vaccination of all women 15 to 39 years, and this year it's time for them: "Men can contract and rubella infection in pregnant women, thus not enough to vaccinate only to women, "says Dr. Enrique Casanueva, Chief of the Infectious Diseases Hospital Infantil Universitario Austral.

Rubella is an acute viral disease, transmitted by saliva, which eliminates andalusia andalusia speak or cough, or by contaminated objects. Has the symptoms of not giving in "20 to 50% of cases," says infectologists. Emphasizes that "half of those infected do not show, or is confused with other disease."

Where is the danger then? In pregnancy. Unborn babies are the real target of this campaign, "according to Dr. Casanueva, because there is that rubella is manifested in more malignant. If a pregnant woman contracted the virus, it can produce fetal congenital rubella syndrome, with consequences ranging from fetal death to deafness, heart disease, blindness, mental retardation and malformations.

The purpose of the Ministry is to eliminate the infection permanently in the country. For this, he launched the September 29 national vaccination campaign for men - "reduce congenital rubella is also your responsibility, not only of women," says Dr Casanueva, and for women who were not vaccinated at 2006 and who are not pregnant at this time.

"We still lack enough to eradicate the virus," says the specialist. One of the flaws remains misinformation: "Many people are not vaccinated because they do not perceive a problem as rubella. As in adults and children is not serious, is not viewed with fear. The danger is the health of children born. "