LAUSR

Following the 2018 rubella outbreak in Japan, this study aimed to assess rubella prevention measures based on the vaccination and immunization status of pregnant women in Japan. Our cohort study involved 3 local core hospitals in Yokohama City, and a total of 666 pregnant women were recruited between June 2018 and September 2019 to answer an online questionnaire. In total, 67.5% pregnant women had received rubella vaccination. The rate of rubella vaccination among pregnant women in the present survey was lower than that among age-matched female participants in a nationwide survey conducted in 2018. Overall, the study results showed that women in their 20s had a higher vaccination rate than those in their 40s, women who were nonsmokers before pregnancy had a higher vaccination rate than those who were smokers, and women who were aware that rubella may affect fetuses had a higher vaccination rate than those who were unaware of this. This survey elucidated multiple predictive factors for rubella vaccination among pregnant women in Japan. Our results confirm the recommendation that women considering pregnancy should be vaccinated for rubella.