Which vaccine is most associated with preventing birth defects caused by a virus infection during pregnancy?

Rubella infection during pregnancy can cause congenital rubella syndrome, leading to deafness, heart defects, cataracts, and other serious outcomes in the baby. The rubella vaccine, usually combined with measles and mumps in the MMR vaccine, became a major public health tool after its introduction in the late 1960s. Widespread vaccination has dramatically reduced congenital rubella syndrome in many countries. Protecting people before pregnancy is the key goal.