Misconceptions about vaccines, specifically the rubella vaccine, have taken hold over the last several years, begging the need for some clarification. Developed in the 1960s, the rubella vaccine has been an indispensable pillar of public health. It is particularly relevant in its role as part of the MMR vaccine, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. This article addresses those allegations and explains why the vaccine does not contain any ‘aborted fetus debris. It further explains the vaccine’s development and ingredients to address concerns and questions.
In the 1960s, scientists developed the rubella vaccine using a virus grown in human fetal cells. These cells were obtained from a fetus participating in an elective abortion performed in Sweden. To be clear, today’s rubella vaccine cells are not directly extracted from fetuses. Rather, they are the direct descendants of those original samples. The original cells have been copied over the decades for vaccine production.
Understanding the Development of the Rubella Vaccine
The rubella vaccine’s timeline starts with innovative research as far back as the 1960s. Researchers then successfully isolated a strain of the rubella virus and cultured it in human cell strains. Since then, these cells have been cloned to create enough of the virus required to make vaccines.
Amy Edwards, an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, explained that while the initial samples were derived from a fetal source, “it’s not like they ongoingly harvest these cells from fetuses.” Both began by replicating human cells in a laboratory. Next, we purify these cells further to produce the final vaccine product.
This purification process is a key step in making sure all cellular debris, which has no purpose in the vaccine, is removed. Edwards noted, “Then there’s the purification step, which is where all cellular debris, DNA, extracellular DNA are washed away, so all you’re left with is pure virus for the vaccine.” This makes sure that the finished product has only the requisite elements required for immunization.
Addressing Misleading Claims
Public figures such as Robert Kennedy have repeatedly asserted that the rubella vaccine includes fetal tissue or fetal debris. According to health leaders, these claims are wrong and dangerous. Shira Doron, MD, emphasized that “it is not true that the vaccines have fetal elements, debris, cells in them.” She deepened the understanding with this remark, “What’s really important to realize is, for any vaccine we’re developing, we grow the viruses in cells. In some cases, human cells.”
Experts weigh in on why use of human fetal cells in vaccine development is routine in development of many vaccines. Doron remarked, “These are very standard drug ingredients.” This perspective highlights the widespread industrial practice of using cultured cells to produce vaccines. It does this without proposing the ethical concerns related to current fetal harvesting practices.
The extensive experience with the rubella vaccine provides a strong indication of its safety and effectiveness. According to Doron, “Among all the vaccines, MMR is by far among the safest. It has been used so extensively throughout the world and has been so well studied.” She noted its effectiveness: “It’s one of the most effective. It’s one of the best because it’s got that combination of safety and effectiveness that we love to see.”
The Importance of Accurate Information
Timely, accurate information about vaccines is essential to protecting public health. Incorrect assumptions and misinformation are major drivers of vaccine hesitancy and directly impact levels of community immunity. The rubella vaccine has been important in controlling rubella disease globally and preventing rubella outbreaks.
Amy Edwards, MD, spoke passionately about the need to get kids—and their parents—educated about how vaccines are made. She added that we need to distinguish past issues from present practices. The cells in use today do not require continuous harvesting from fetuses, but are derived from well-characterized cell lines.
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