Following a widespread epidemic of rubella infection in
1940, Norman Gregg, an Australian ophthalmologist,
reported in 1941 the occurrence of congenital cataracts
among 78 infants born following maternal rubella infection
in early pregnancy. This was the first published recognition
of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Rubella virus was first
isolated in 1962 by Parkman and Weller. The first rubella
vaccines were licensed in 1969.