Why is the rubella vaccine given postpartum?

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The key idea is protecting future pregnancies from congenital rubella. Giving the rubella vaccine after birth ensures the mother develops immunity that will be present if she becomes pregnant again, reducing the risk of passing rubella to the fetus in a later pregnancy. The rubella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, and live vaccines are avoided during pregnancy because of potential risk to the fetus. Vaccinating postpartum does not treat an active rubella infection or provide immediate protection for the current pregnancy (which is already completed); it provides long-term protection for any future pregnancy.