What Is Rubella IgG?
Rubella IgG is an antibody that indicates immunity to the rubella virus (German measles), either from past infection or from vaccination (the MMR vaccine). IgG antibodies persist for life after successful immunisation, providing long-term protection against reinfection.
Rubella is generally a mild illness in children and adults, but infection during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the developing foetus, leading to deafness, cataracts, heart defects, and intellectual disability. This is why rubella immunity status is routinely checked in pregnancy and pre-conception care.
Why Is Rubella IgG Tested?
- Pre-conception screening - confirming immunity before pregnancy to protect the foetus
- Antenatal booking bloods - rubella immunity is checked at the first antenatal appointment in the UK
- Post-vaccination immunity check - confirming seroconversion after MMR vaccination
- Healthcare worker screening - occupational health requires proof of rubella immunity
- Travel medicine - some countries have higher rubella prevalence
Normal Ranges
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| >10 IU/mL | Immune (protected) |
| 5–10 IU/mL | Equivocal (borderline) |
| <5 IU/mL | Non-immune (susceptible) |
What Does a Positive Rubella IgG Mean?
- Immune - you have protective antibodies from vaccination or past infection
- Safe for pregnancy - foetal risk from rubella is negligible if you are immune
- No action required - immunity is lifelong in most cases
What Does a Negative Rubella IgG Mean?
- Not immune - you are susceptible to rubella infection
- Vaccination recommended - if planning pregnancy, receive MMR vaccine and wait 1 month before conceiving (live vaccine)
- Cannot vaccinate during pregnancy - MMR is contraindicated in pregnancy; vaccination should be given postpartum
- Waning immunity - some individuals lose protective antibody levels over time despite vaccination
How to Ensure Rubella Protection
- Check immunity before pregnancy - a simple blood test can confirm your status
- MMR vaccination - if non-immune, two doses of MMR provide 97% protection
- Wait 28 days after vaccination before conceiving - the live vaccine requires a washout period
- Postnatal vaccination - if found non-immune during pregnancy, vaccinate after delivery
- Ensure children are vaccinated — high population immunity (herd immunity) protects vulnerable individuals
When Should You Get Tested?
- You are planning pregnancy and are unsure of your vaccination history
- Your GP or midwife requests it as part of antenatal screening
- You are a healthcare worker requiring occupational health clearance
- You have no documented MMR vaccination record
Which Lola Health Tests Include Rubella IgG?
Rubella IgG is available as an add-on biomarker with any Lola Health blood test. It is a one-time test — if you are immune, you do not need to recheck.
Check Your Rubella IgG Levels at Home
The Core Health 45 includes Rubella IgG testing along with 44 other biomarkers. Results in 2 working days with a free at-home phlebotomist visit.
View Core Health 45 →Check Your Rubella Levels
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Order the Rubella IgG Test — results in 2-3 working days with GP-reviewed insights.
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