Which vaccine is most associated with stopping rubella-related birth defects?

Rubella is usually a mild illness in children and adults, but infection during pregnancy can cause congenital rubella syndrome, leading to deafness, cataracts, heart defects, and developmental problems. The rubella vaccine, usually given as part of MMR, prevents these devastating outcomes by stopping rubella circulation. Many countries saw major declines in congenital rubella syndrome after introducing routine vaccination. This is a powerful example of vaccination protecting both the vaccinated person and future pregnancies.