Disclosed herein are isolated rubella viral vector constructs that include a rubella non-structural protein open reading frame (ORF) without an in-frame deletion, a rubella structural protein ORF, and a heterologous antigenic insert. In one example, the heterologous antigenic insert is positioned within the rubella structural protein ORF. In some examples, the heterologous antigenic insert is positioned in the rubella structural protein ORF in between a gene encoding structural protein E2 and a gene encoding structural protein E1. Exemplary antigenic inserts include HIV, SIV, RSV or hepatitis B surface antigens. In some examples, the HIV antigenic insert is a Gag antigenic insert, a gp41 antigenic insert or a gp120 antigenic insert. Also disclosed are uses of the isolated rubella viral vector, such as to induce an immune response to a particular virus, such as HIV-1, testing sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies, or screening antiviral drugs (such as protease inhibitors).
