B.
INFORMED CONSENT/WAIVER OF REQUIREMENT OF BLOOD TEST FOR RUBELLA IMMUNITY
Important Information About the Need for Rubella Immunity Testing
Infection of a pregnant woman with the rubella virus in early pregnancy can be catastrophic to the unborn child.
Infection may lead to fetal death, spontaneous abortion, or premature delivery. If the fetus survives the
infection, the virus may affect any or all of its vital organs, and may cause a variety of congenital defects. Up to
85% of infants whose mothers are infected with the rubella virus in the first three months of pregnancy may
suffer significant health effects.
It is important that a woman be sure of her rubella immunity status prior to becoming pregnant because rubella
immunizations are not recommended for pregnant women. While a woman might believe that she has had
rubella in the past, and is now immune, many illnesses that cause a rash may mimic a rubella infection, so she
may have been diagnosed with rubella when she was not actually infected with the rubella virus. A woman
might also know or believe that she was immunized for rubella, but not everyone who is immunized has a
sufficient immune response from the immunization to confer lifelong immunity.
The only way to be certain of rubella immunity is to have a blood test to confirm the presence of rubella
antibodies. The results of the blood test will allow you to make appropriate decisions, in consultation with your
physician, regarding your rubella immunity status and possible need for rubella immunization prior to becoming
pregnant.
Applicants may obtain additional information regarding rubella and rubella immunity testing at their local county health
department or the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services Immunization Program,
(406) 444-5580.
Reference:
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 10
th
Edition, January 2007. Edited by: William Atkinson,
Jennifer Hamborsky, Lynne McIntyre and Charles Wolfe, Chapter 12.
______ We request a waiver of the requirement for medical certification of blood testing for rubella immunity
(or medical exemption therefrom). We have read and we understand the information provided regarding the
importance of rubella immunity testing, and we accept full responsibility for any consequences that might arise
from our failure to obtain a blood test for rubella immunity prior to marriage.
We attest that we are the applicants for a marriage license for which this certification/informed consent is
required. By our signatures, we attest that we have both seen the results of the serological test for rubella
immunity or are medically exempt, or that we have both been informed of the importance of rubella immunity
testing but request a waiver of the requirement for premarital testing as stated above.
______________________________________________ ___________________________________
Signature of Female Applicant Name Printed
_______________________________________________ ____________________________________
Signature of Male Applicant Name Printed
_______________________________________________ ____________________________________
Signature of Clerk of District Court Date Received