A postpartum woman has an order for Rh immune globulin and rubella vaccine. When should the rubella vaccine be administered?

The rubella vaccine is typically administered to postpartum women to protect against rubella in future pregnancies, as the vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy. When a woman receives Rh immune globulin, it is crucial to avoid administering the rubella vaccine at the same time. This is because there is potential for the Rh immune globulin to interfere with the body's immune response to the rubella vaccine if given too closely together.

The recommended protocol is to delay the rubella vaccine for at least 24 hours following the administration of Rh immune globulin to ensure that the immune response to the rubella vaccine is effective. By following this guidance, healthcare providers can ensure that postpartum women are adequately protected against rubella, which can have serious consequences for fetal health in future pregnancies, without diminishing the efficacy of the Rh immune globulin treatment.