Large-scale purification of rubella virus and preparation of an experimental split rubella virus vaccine.

Large-scale purification of rubella virus from tissue culture fluid and preparation of an experimental rubella subunit vaccine are described. The virus, purified isopycnically in sucrose gradients, was Tween 80-ether treated, and the product was filtered sterile. The vaccines were of two types, formalinized and nonformalinized. They were not infectious, had only a slight pyrogenicity, and caused no harmful symptoms in animals. The immune response in guinea pigs was better when the nonformalinized vaccine was used and the dosage was 2,500 hemagglutinating units per injection (0.5 ml).