Dr. Paul D. Parkman, Renowned Rubella Researcher and Vaccine Developer, Dies at 91

Dr. Paul D. Parkman, whose pioneering research led to the identification of the rubella virus and the development of a vaccine that has successfully averted a rubella epidemic in the United States for over half a century, passed away on May 7 at the age of 91 in his home in Auburn, N.Y. This significant loss comes after a lifetime of dedication to medical research and public health.

Dr. Parkman's groundbreaking work was instrumental in understanding the virus that causes rubella, commonly known as German measles due to its classification by German scientists in the 19th century. While rubella typically manifests as a mild illness characterized by a red rash, its impact on pregnancies can be devastating, leading to severe physical and mental impairments, miscarriages, and stillbirths.

Preventing Tragic Consequences

During his tenure as a pediatric medical resident in the 1950s at the State University Health Science Center (now the SUNY Upstate Medical University) in Syracuse, Dr. Parkman experienced firsthand the heartbreaking consequences of rubella infection during pregnancy. He vividly recalled the anguish of informing a new mother about her stillborn baby, later discovering that the infant's rash was likely a result of the mother's rubella infection.

Thanks to Dr. Parkman's efforts, the rubella vaccine he helped develop has been pivotal in preventing countless tragedies and has been integral in safeguarding public health in the United States for more than 50 years.

His legacy will forever endure through the lives he has touched and the countless individuals who have been spared from the ravages of rubella, ensuring that future generations are protected from this once-feared disease.