In 2004, Rubella, also known as German measles, was declared eliminated in the U.S. Before the rubella vaccination program started in 1969, rubella was a common and widespread infection in the U.S. Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome became nationally notifiable diseases in 1966.

During the last major rubella epidemic from 1964 to 1965, an estimated 12.5 million people got rubella, 11,000 pregnant women lost their babies, 2,100 newborns died, and 20,000 babies were born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).