OBJECTIVE To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rubella outbreaks from 1998 to 2006, and to evaluate the effect of rubella control in Jinan. METHODS The data from routine report system for infections disease and rubella surveillance system were collected and a descriptive epidemiological analysis were conducted. RESULTS There were 74 rubella outbreaks with 1,212 cases, which accounted for 73.10% (1212/1658) of tolal cases from 1998 to 2006. All outbreaks occurred in native population. The age distribution was dominated by groups of 5-14, 15-19, and 20-29 years old, ant they accounted for 50.50%, 45.21%, and 3.80% of the total cases respectively. In all outbreak cases, only 0.49% were immunized, 93.65% didn't immunized, and 5.86% were unknown. 43 outbreaks occurred in middle school. CONCLUSIONS The adolescents were key population for rubella outbreak prevention. And the most effective strategy for reducing the incidence of rubella and outbreaks are to keep high quality routine coverage of rubella vaccine.