Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Safety of Routine Childhood Vaccinations

An Epidemiological Review

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Paediatric Drugs Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Immunisations have been one of the most cost-effective public health interventions in human history. Despite remarkable progress, several challenges face immunisation programs worldwide. Paradoxically, despite vaccines’ clear effectiveness in reducing risks of diseases that were previously widely prevalent and caused substantial morbidity and mortality, current vaccination policies have become increasingly controversial due to concerns about vaccine safety.

Vaccines, like other pharmaceutical products, are not entirely risk-free. While most known adverse effects are minor and self-limited, some vaccines have been associated with very rare but serious adverse effects. Because such rare effects are often not evident until vaccines come into widespread use, ongoing surveillance programs to monitor vaccine safety are needed. Such monitoring will be essential if the public is to accept the increasing number of new vaccines made possible by biotechnology. The interpretation of data from vaccine safety research is complex and is associated with some uncertainty. Effectively communicating this uncertainty and continuing to improve understanding of rare risks and risk factors are essential for “mature” immunisation programs to maintain public confidence in immunisations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Table I
Fig. 1
Table II
Table III
Table IV

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. World Bank. World development report 1993: investing in health. New York (NY): Oxford University Press, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fenner F, Henderson DA, Arita I, et al. Smallpox and its eradication. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Progress toward global poliomyelitis eradication 1997–1998. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1999 May 28; 48(20): 416–21

    Google Scholar 

  4. Department of vaccines and other biologicals: annual report 1998. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1999

  5. Chen RT, Rastogi SC, Mullen JR, et al. The vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS). Vaccine 1994; 12: 542–50

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kemp T, Pearce N, Fitzharris P, et al. Is infant immunization a risk factor for childhood asthma or allergy? Epidemiology 1997; 8: 678–80

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Wakefield AJ, Murch SH, Anthony A, et al. Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and regressive developmental disorder in children. Lancet 1998; 351: 637–41

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Classen DC, Classen JB. The timing of pediatric immunization and the risk of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Infect Dis Clin Pract 1997; 6: 449–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Gout O, Lyon-Caen O. Sclerose en plaques et vaccination contre le virus de l’hepatite B. Rev Neurol Paris 1998; 154: 205–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ellenberg SS, Chen RT. The complicated task of monitoring vaccine safety. Public Health Rep 1997; 112: 10–20

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Chen R. Safety of vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, editors. Vaccines. Philadelphia (PA): WB Saunders, 1999: 1144–63

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gangarosa EJ, Galazka AM, Wolfe CR, et al. Impact of the anti-vaccine movements on pertussis control: the untold story. Lancet 1998; 351: 356–61

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Fourrier A, Touzé E, Alpévovitch A, et al. Association between hepatatis B vaccine and multiple sclerosis: a case-control study. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 1999; 8 (Suppl. 2): S140–1

    Google Scholar 

  14. Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre. Sentinel surveillance shows small decline in MMR coverage. Commun Dis Rep CDR Wkly 1998; 8: 317–20

    Google Scholar 

  15. Howson CP, Howe CJ, Fineberg HV, editors. Adverse effects of pertussis and rubella vaccines. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  16. Brown F, Greco D, Mastrantonio P, et al. Pertussis vaccine trials. Dev Biol Stand 1997; 89: 1–407

    Google Scholar 

  17. Osvath P, Csorba S, Endre L, et al. IgE levels of infants with complications after pertussis vaccination. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 1979; 7: 111–4

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Pollock TM, Morris J. A 7 year survey of disorders attributed to vaccination in North West Thames region. Lancet 1983; 1: 753–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Update: vaccine side effects, adverse reactions, contraindications, and precautions. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1996 Sep 6; 45(RR-12): 1–35

    Google Scholar 

  20. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles, mumps, and rubella: vaccine use and strategies for elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome and control of mumps: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1998; 47(RR-8): 1–58

    Google Scholar 

  21. Farrington CP, Pugh S, Colville A, et al. A new method for active surveillance of adverse events from diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis and measles/mumps/rubella vaccines. Lancet 1995; 345: 567–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Nieminen U, Peltola H, Syrjala MT, et al. Acute thrombocytopenic purpura following measles, mumps and rubella vaccination: a report on 23 patients. Acta Paediatr 1993; 82: 267–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Bottiger M, Christenson B, Romanus V, et al. Swedish experience of two dose vaccination programme aiming at eliminating measles, mumps, and rubella. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987; 295: 1264–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Prevots DR, Sutter RW, Strebel PM, et al. Completeness of reporting for paralytic poliomyelitis, United States, 1980 through 1991: implications for estimating the risk of vaccine-associated disease. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1994; 148: 479–85

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Freestone DS, Prydie J, Smith SG, et al. Vaccination of adults with Wistar RA 27/3 rubella vaccine. J Hygiene 1971; 69: 471–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Polk BF, Modlin JF, White JA, et al. A controlled comparison of joint reactions among women receiving one of two rubella vaccines. Am J Epidemiol 1982; 115: 19–25

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Chen RT, Glasser J, Rhodes P, et al. The vaccine safety datalink project: a new tool for improving vaccine safety monitoring in the United States. Pediatrics 1997; 99: 765–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Chen RT. Special methodological issues in pharmacoepidemiology studies of vaccine safety. In: Strom BL, editor. Pharmacoepidemiology. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, 2000. In press

    Google Scholar 

  29. Cherry JD. Pertussis and the vaccine controversy. In: Root RK, Warren KS, Griffiss JM, et al., editors. Contemporary issues in infectious diseases. New York (NY): Churchill Livingstone, 1989: 47–63

    Google Scholar 

  30. Goodman M, Lamm SH, Bellman MH. Temporal relationship modeling: DTP or DT immunizations and infantile spasms. Vaccine 1998; 16: 225–31

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Stratton KR, Howe CJ, Johnston Jr RB, editors. Adverse events associated with childhood vaccines: evidence bearing on causality. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  32. Stratton KR, Howe CJ, Johnston RB, editors. DPT vaccine and chronic nervous system dysfunction: a new analysis. Institute of Medicine. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1994

  33. Tuttle J, Chen RT, Rantala H, et al. The risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome after tetanus-toxoid containing vaccines in adults and children. Am J Public Health 1997; 87: 2045–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Miller DL, Ross EM, Alderslade R, et al. Pertussis immunisation and serious acute neurological illness in children. BMJ 1981 May 16; 282: 1595–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Schonberger LB, Bregman DJ, Sullivan-Bolyai JZ, et al. Guillain-Barré syndrome following vaccination in the national influenza immunization program, United States, 1976–1977. Am J Epidemiol 1979; 110: 105–23

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Poliomyelitis prevention in the United States: introduction of a sequential vaccination schedule of inactivated poliovirus vaccine followed by oral poliovirus vaccine: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1997; 46 (No. RR-3): 1–25

    Google Scholar 

  37. Rosenthal S, Chen R, Hadler SC. The safety of acellular pertussis vaccine versus whole cell pertussis vaccine: a post-marketing assessment. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1996; 150: 457–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Pichichero ME. Acellular pertussis vaccines: towards an improved safety profile. Drug Saf 1996; 15: 311–24

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Roberts JD, Roos LL, Poffenroth LA, et al. Surveillance of vaccine-related adverse events in the first year of life: a Manitoba cohort study. J Clin Epidemiol 1996; 49: 51–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Davis RL, Barlow W, Thompson RS, et al. Seizures following DPT or MMR vaccination among neurologically impaired or at-risk children: results from the vaccine safety datalink study. 32nd National Immunization Conference; 1998 July 21–24; Atlanta, 152

  41. Davis RL, Barlow W, Thompson RS, et al. Seizures following DPT or MMR vaccination among a cohort of neurologically impaired or at-risk children: results from the vaccine safety datalink study [abstract no. 514]. Pediatric Research 1998; 43(4): 90A

    Google Scholar 

  42. Bellman MH, Ross EM, Miller DL. Infantile spasms and pertussis immunization. Lancet 1983: I: 1031–4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Shields WD, Nielsen C, Buch D, et al. Relationship of pertussis immunization to the onset of neurologic disorders: a retrospective epidemiologic study. J Pediatr 1988; 113: 801–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Braun MM, Terracciano G, Salive ME, et al. Report of a US public health service workshop on hypotonic-hyporesponsive episode (HHE) after pertussis immunization. Pediatrics 1998; 102: E52

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Vermeer-de Bondt PE, Labadie J, Rumke HC. Rate of recurrent collapse after vaccination with whole cell pertussis vaccine: follow up study. BMJ 1998; 316: 902–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Miller D, Madge N, Diamond J, et al. Pertussis immunisation and serious acute neurological illnesses in children. BMJ 1993; 307: 1171–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Walker AM, Jick H, Perera DR, et al. Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis immunization and sudden infant death syndrome. Am J Public Health 1987; 77: 945–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Jonville-Bera AP, Autret E, Laugier J. Sudden infant death syndrome and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-poliomyelitis vaccination status. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 1995; 9: 263–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Hoffman HS, Hunter JC, Damus K, et al. Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis immunization and sudden infant death: results of the national institute of child health and human development cooperative epidemiological study of sudden infant death syndrome risk factors. Pediatrics 1987; 79: 598–611

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Griffin MR, Ray WA, Livengood JR, et al. Risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) after immunization with the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine. N Engl J Med 1988; 319: 618–23

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Bouvier-Colle MH, Flahaut A, Messiah A, et al. Sudden infant death and immunization: an extensive epidemiological approach to the problem in France — winter 1986. Int J Epidemiol 1989; 18: 121–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Mitchell EA, Stewart AW, Clements M. Immunisation and the sudden infant death syndrome: New Zealand Cot Death Study Group. Arch Dis Child 1995 Dec; 73(6): 498–501

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Rantala H, Uhari M, Tuokko H, et al. Poliovaccine virus in the cerebrospinal fluid after oral polio vaccination. J Infect 1989; 19: 173–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Andronikou S, Siamopoulou-Mavridou A, Pontikake M, et al. Poliovirus vaccination in an infant with hypogammaglobulinaemia [letter]. Lancet 1998 Feb 28; 351(9103): 674

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Gutierrez K, Abzug MJ. Vaccine-associated poliovirus meningitis in children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts. J Pediatr 1990 Sep; 117(3): 424–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Kinnunen E, Farkkila M, Hovi T, et al. Incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome during a nationwide oral poliovirus vaccine campaign. Neurology 1989; 39: 1034–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Uhari M, Rantala H, Niemelä M. Cluster of childhood Guillain-Barré cases after an oral poliovaccine campaign. Lancet 1989 Aug 19; 2: 440–1

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Rantala H, Cherry JD, Shields WD, et al. Epidemiology of Guillain-Barré syndrome in children: relationship of oral polio vaccine administration to occurrence. J Pediatr 1994; 124(2): 220–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Kinnunen E, Junttila O, Haukka J, et al. Nationwide oral polio-virus vaccination campaign and the incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Am J Epidemiol 1998; 147(1): 69–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Harjulehto T, Hovi T, Aro T, et al. Congenital malformations and oral poliovirus vaccination during pregnancy. Lancet 1989 Apr 8; I: 771–2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Harjulehto-Mervaala T, Aro T, Hiilesmaa VK, et al. Oral polio vaccination during pregnancy: no increase in the occurrence of congenital malformations. Am J Epidemiol 1993; 138(6): 407–14

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Ornoy A, Ben Ishai P. Congenital anomalies after oral poliovirus vaccination during pregnancy [letter]. Lancet 1993 May 1; 341: 1162

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Strebel PM, Sutter RW, Cochi SL, et al. Epidemiology of poliomyelitis in the United States one decade after the last reported case of indigenous wild virus-associated disease. Clin Infect Dis 1991; 14: 568–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Begg NT, Chamberlain R, Roebuck M. Paralytic poliomyelitis in England and Wales 1970–84. Epidemiol Infect 1987; 99: 97–106

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Andrus JK, Strebel PM, de Quadros CA, et al. Risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis in Latin America, 1989–91. Bull World Health Organ 1995; 73(1): 33–40

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Sutter RW, Prevots R. Vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis among immunodeficient persons. Infect Med 1994 June; 11(6): 426, 429–30, 435–8

    Google Scholar 

  67. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prolonged polio-virus excretion in an immunodeficient persons with vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1997; 46(28): 641–3

    Google Scholar 

  68. Strebel PM, Ion-Nedelcu N, Baughman AL, et al. Intramuscular injections within 30 days of immunization with oral poliovirus vaccine: a risk factor for vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis. N Engl J Med 1995 Feb 23; 332(8): 500–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Izurieta HS, Sutter RW, Baughman AL, et al. Vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis in the United States: no evidence of elevated risk after simultaneous intramuscular injections of vaccine. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1995 Oct; 14(10): 840–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Black SB, Shinefield HR, Ray P, et al. Safety of combined oligosaccharide conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b (HbOC) and whole cell diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis vaccine in infancy. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1993 Dec; 12(2): 981–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Vadheim CM, Greenberg DP, Partridge S, et al. Effectiveness and safety of an Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (PRP-T) in young infants. Pediatrics 1993 Aug; 92(2): 272–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Haemophilus B conjugate vaccines for prevention of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease among infants and children two months of age and older: recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1991 Jan 11; 40(RR-1): 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  73. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations for use of Haemophilus B conjugate vaccines and a combined diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and haemophilus B vaccine: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1993: 42(RR-13): 1–15

    Google Scholar 

  74. Leroy V, Ladner J, Nsengumuremyi F, et al. Safety of Haemophilus influenzae conjugate vaccine in children born to HIV-1 infected mothers: Kigali (Rwanda), 1992–1994. Vaccine 1996; 14(2): 177–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Dockrell DH, Poland GA, Mitchell PS, et al. Effect of Haemophilus influenzae type b immunization on HIV viremia in HIV-seropositive adults. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1998; 18: 512–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Milstien JB, Gross TP, Kuritsky JN. Adverse reactions reported following receipt of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine: an analysis after 1 year of marketing. Pediatrics 1987 Aug; 80(2): 270–4

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Black SB, Shinefield HR, Hiatt RA, et al. Efficacy of Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide vaccine. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1988; 7: 149–56

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Harrison LH, Broome CV, Hightower AW, et al. A day care-based study of the efficacy of Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine. JAMA 1988; 260: 1413–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Osterholm MT, Rambeck JH, White KE, et al. Lack of efficacy of Haemophilus b polysaccharide vaccine in Minnesota. JAMA 1988; 260: 1423–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Lepow ML, Samuelson JS, Gordon LK. Safety and immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b-polysaccharide-diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine in adults. J Infect Dis 1984; 150: 402–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Niu M, Davis D, Ellenberg S. Recombinant hepatitis B vaccination of neonates and infants: emerging safety data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Pediatr Infect Dis J 1996 Sep; 15(9): 771–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Niu M, Rhodes P, Salive M, et al. Comparative safety of two recombinant hepatitis B vaccines in children: data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). J Clin Epidemiol 1998; 51(6): 503–10

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Dobson S, Scheifele D, Bell A. Assessment of a universal, school-based hepatitis B vaccination program. JAMA 1995 Oct 18; 274(15): 1209–13

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Pope J, Stevens A, Howson W, et al. The development of rheumatoid arthritis after recombinant hepatitis B vaccination. J Rheum 1998; 25: 1687–93

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Bracci M, Zoppini A. Polyarthritis associated with hepatitis B vaccination. Br J Rheumatol 1997; 36(2): 300–1

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. McMahon BJ, Helminiak C, Wainwright RB, et al. Frequency of adverse reactions to hepatitis B vaccine in 43,618 persons. Am J Med 1992 Mar; 92: 254–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Malawista SE. Infectious arthritis. In: Wyngaarden JB, Smith LH, Bennett JC, editors. Cecil textbook of medicine. 19th ed. Philadelphia (PA): WB Saunders Co, 1992: 1520–1

    Google Scholar 

  88. Gross K, Combe C, Krüger K, et al. Arthritis after hepatitis B vaccination. Scand J Rhematol 1995; 24: 50–2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Hachulla E, Houvenagel E, Mingul A, et al. Reactive arthritis after hepatitis B vaccination: case report questions cross reacting antigenic determinants between infecting agents and HLA-B27. J Rhematol 1990; 17: 1250–1

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Biasi D, DeSandre G, Bambara LM, et al. A new case of reactive arthritis after hepatitis B vaccination [letter]. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1993; 11: 215

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Vautier G, Carty JE. Acute sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis occurring after hepatitis vaccination [letter]. Br J Rheumatol 1994; 33: 991

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Shaw FE, Graham DJ, Guess HA, et al. Postmarketing surveillance for neurologic adverse events reported after hepatitis B vaccination. Am J Epidemiol 1988; 127(3): 337–52

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Kaplanski G, Retornaz F, Durand JM, et al. Central nervous system demyelination after vaccination against hepatitis B and HLA haplotype. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1995; 58(6): 758–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Tartaglino LM, Heiman-Patterson T, Friedman DP, et al. MR imaging in a case of postvaccination myelitis. Am J Neuroradiol 1995; 16: 581–2

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Albitar S, Bourgeon B, Genin R, et al. Bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis with hepatitis B vaccination. Nephrol Dial Transplant 1997; 12: 2169–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Carmeli Y, De-Medina T. Serious hepatitis B vaccine adverse reactions, are they immune-mediated? Vaccine 1993; 11: 1358–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Grotto I, Mandel Y, Ephros M, et al. Major adverse reaction to yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccines: a review. Vaccine 1998; 16(4): 329–34

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Fujinami RS, Oldstone MBA. Amino acid homology between the encephalitogenic site of myelin basic protein and virus: mechanism for autoimmunity. Science 1985 Nov 29; 230: 1043–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Wucherpfennig KW, Strominger JL. Molecular mimicry in T cell-mediated autoimmunity: viral peptides activate human T cell clones specific for myelin basic protein. Cell 1995; 80: 695–705

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Herroelen L, DeKeyser J, Ebinger G. Central-nervous-system demyelination after immunisation with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. Lancet 1991 Nov 9; 338: 1174–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. Halsey NA, Duclos P, Van Damme P, et al. Hepatitis B vaccine and central nervous system demyelinating diseases. Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1999; 18: 23–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Brezin AP, Lautier-Frau M, Hamedani M, et al. Visual loss and eosinophilia after recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. Lancet 1993 Aug 28; 342(8870): 563–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. Maillefert JF, Farge P, Gazet-Maillefert MP, et al. Mental nerve neuropathy as a result of hepatitis B vaccination. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1997 June; 83: 663–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. Carmeli Y, Oren R. Hepatitis B vaccine side-effect. Lancet 1993 Jan 23; 341(8839): 250–1

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  105. Devin F, Roques G, Disdier P, et al. Occlusion of central retinal vein after hepatitis B vaccination [letter]. Lancet 1996 Jun 8; 347: 1626

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Castresana-Isla CJ, Herrera-Martinez G, Vega-Molina J. Erythema nodusum and Takayasu’s arteritis after immunization with plasma derived hepatitis B vaccine. J Rheumatol 1993; 20: 1417–8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. Manna R, DeSantis A, Oliviero A, et al. Leucoencephalitis after recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. J Hepatol 1996; 24(6): 764–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  108. Mathieu E, Fain O, Krivitzky A. Cryoglobulinemia after hepatitis B vaccination [letter]. N Engl J Med 1996 Aug; 335(5): 355

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Lilic D, Ghosh SK. Liver dysfunction and DNA antibodies after hepatitis B vaccination. Lancet 1994 Nov 5; 344(8932): 1292–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  110. Germanaud J, Causse X, Trinh D, et al. A case of severe cytolysis after hepatitis B vaccination [letter]. Am J Med 1995 Jun; 98(6): 595

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Poullin P, Gabriel B. Thrombocytopenic purpura after recombinant hepatitis B vaccine [letter]. Lancet 1994 Nov 5; 344(8932): 1293

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. Ronchi F, Cecchi P, Falcioni F, et al. Thrombocytopenic purpura as adverse reaction to recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. Arch Dis Child 1998; 78(3): 273–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. Wise RP, Kiminyo KP, Salive ME. Hair loss after routine immunizations. JAMA 1997 Oct 9; 278(14): 1176–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Feely M. Hepatitis and hepatitis immunisation. J R Soc Health 1997; 117: 41–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. Alleged link between hepatitis B vaccine and chronic fatigue syndrome. Canada Dis Wkly Rep 1991 Oct 5; 17–40: 215–6

    Google Scholar 

  116. Redd S, Markowitz L, Katz S. Measles. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, editors. Vaccines. Philadelphia (PA): WB Saunders, 1999: 222–66

    Google Scholar 

  117. Fasano MB, Wood RA, Cooke SK, et al. Egg hypersensitivity and adverse reactions to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. J Pediatr 1992; 120: 878–81

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. James JM, Burks AW, Roberson PK, et al. Safe administration of the measles vaccine to children allergic to eggs. N Engl J Med 1995; 332: 1262–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  119. Kelso JM, Jones RT, Yunginger JW. Anaphylaxis to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine mediated by IgE to gelatin. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1993 April; 91(4): 867–72

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  120. Sakaguchi M, Ogura H, Inouye S. IgE antibody to gelatin in children with immediate-type reactions to measles and mumps vaccines. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995; 96: 563–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  121. Rowlands DF, Freestone DS. Vaccination against rubella of susceptible schoolgirls in Reading. J Hygiene 1971; 69: 579–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  122. Slater PE, Ben-Zvi T, Fogel A, et al. Absence of an association between rubella vaccination and arthritis in underimmune postpartum women. Vaccine 1995; 13: 1529–32

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  123. Frenkel LM, Nielsen K, Garakian A, et al. A search for persistent rubella virus infection in persons with chronic symptoms after rubella and rubella immunization and in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Infect Dis 1996; 22: 287–94

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  124. Ray P, Black S, Shrinefield H. Risk of chronic arthropathy among women after rubella vaccination. JAMA 1997; 278: 551–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  125. Tingle AJ, Mitchell LA, Grace M, et al. Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study on adverse effects of rubella immunisation in seronegative women. Lancet 1997; 349: 1277–81

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  126. Black S, Shinefield H, Ray P, et al. Risk of hospitalization because of aseptic meningitis after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in one- to two-year-old children: an analysis of the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) project. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1997; 16: 500–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  127. Miller E, Goldacre M, Pugh S, et al. Risk of aseptic meningitis after measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in UK children. Lancet 1993; 341: 979–95

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  128. Silveira CM, Salisbury DM, de Quadros CA. Measles vaccination and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Lancet 1997; 349: 14–6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  129. Dyken PR, Cunningham SC, Ward LC. Changing character of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in the United States. Pediatr Neurol 1989 Nov-Dec; 5(6): 339–41

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  130. American Academy of Pediatrics. Measles. In: Peter G, editor. 1997 red book report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. Elk Grove Village (IL): American Academy of Pediatrics, 1997: 344

    Google Scholar 

  131. Alderslade R, Bellman MH, Rawson NSB, et al. The national childhood encephalopathy study: a report on 1000 cases of serious neurological disorders in infants and young children from the NCES research team. In: Department of Health and Social Security. Whooping cough: reports from the Committee on the Safety of Medicines and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  132. Miller D, Wadsworth J, Diamond J, et al. Measles vaccination and neurological events [letter]. Lancet 1997; 349: 729–30

    Google Scholar 

  133. Weibel RE, Caserta V, Benor DE, et al. Acute encephalopathy followed by permanent brain injury or death associated with further attenuated measles vaccines: a review of claims submitted to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Pediatrics 1998; 101: 383–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  134. Hughes R, Rees J, Smeeton N, et al. Vaccines and Guillain-Barré syndrome [letter]. Lancet 1996; 312: 1475–6

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  135. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adverse events following immunization. Surveillance Report No. 3, 1985-1986, Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, CDC 1989

    Google Scholar 

  136. Wakefield AJ, Pittilo RM, Sim R, et al. Evidence of persistent measles infection in Crohn’s disease. J Med Virol 1993; 39: 345–53

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  137. Ekbom A, Daszak P, Kraaz W, et al. Crohn’s disease after inutero measles exposure. Lancet 1996; 348: 515–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  138. Duclos P, Ward BJ. Measles vaccines: a review of adverse events. Drug Saf 1998; 6: 435–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  139. Liu Y, van Kruiningen HJ, West AB, et al. Immunocytochemical evidence of Listeria, Escherichia colt, and Streptococcus antigens in Crohn’s disease. Gastroenterology 1995; 108: 1396–404

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  140. Taylor B, Miller E, Farrington CP, et al. Autism and measles, mumps and rubella vaccine: no epidemiological evidence for a causal association. Lancet 1999; 353: 2026–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  141. Feeney M, Clegg A, Winwood P, et al. A case-control study of measles vaccination and inflammatory bowel disease. Lancet 1997; 350: 764–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  142. Haga Y, Funakoshi O, Kuroe K, et al. Absence of measles viral genomic sequence in intestinal tissues from Crohn’s disease by nested polymerase chain reaction. Gut 1996; 38: 211–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  143. Chadwick N, Bruce IJ, Schepelmann S, et al. Measles virus RNA is not detected in inflammatory bowel disease using hybrid capture and reverse transcription followed by the polymerase chain reaction. J Med Virol 1998; 55: 305–11

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  144. Patriarca PA, Beeler JA. Measles vaccination and inflammatory bowel disease [comment]. Lancet 1995; 345: 1062–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  145. Farrington P, Miller E. Measles vaccination as a risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease [letter]. Lancet 1995; 345: 1362

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  146. MacDonald TT. Measles vaccination as a risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease [letter]. Lancet 1995; 345: 1363–4

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  147. Miller D, Renton A. Measles vaccination as a risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease [letter; comment]. Lancet 1995 May 27; 345(8961): 1363

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  148. Chen RT, DeStefano F. Vaccine adverse events: causal or coincidental [comment]. Lancet 1998; 351: 611–2

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  149. Beeler J, Varricchio F, Wise R. Thrombocytopenia after immunization with measles vaccines: review of the vaccine adverse events reporting system (1990 to 1994). Pediatr Infect Dis J 1996; 15: 88–90

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  150. Bayer WL, Sherman FE, Michaels RH, et al. Purpura in congenital and acquired rubella. N Engl J Med 1965; 273: 1362–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  151. Drachtman RA, Murphy S, Ettinger LJ, et al. Exacerbation of chronic thrombocytopenic purpura following measles-mumps-rubella immunization. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1994; 148: 326–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  152. Vlacha V, Forma EN, Miron D, et al. Recurrent thrombocytopenic purpura after repeated measles-mumps-rubella vaccination. Pediatrics 1996; 97: 738–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  153. Pool V, Chen R, Rhodes P. Indications for measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in a child with prior thrombocytopenia purpura [letter]. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1997; 16: 423–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  154. Ward BJ. Vaccine adverse events in the new millenium: is there reason for concern? Bull World Health Organ 2000; 78: 205–15

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  155. Freed GL, Katz SL, Clark SJ. Safety of vaccinations: Miss America, the media, and public health. JAMA 1996; 276: 1869–72

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  156. Chen RT, Hibbs B. Vaccine safety: current and future challenges. Pediatr Ann 1998; 27: 445–64

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  157. Wood D, Saarlas KN, Inkelas M, et al. Immunization registries in the United States: implicatons for the practice of a public health in a changing healthcare system. Annu Rev Public Health 1999; 20: 231–55

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  158. Khoury MJ, Risch N, Kelsey JL. Genetic epidemiology. Epidemiol Rev 1997; 19: 1–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vaccine Safety and Development Branch (MS-E61), National Immunisation Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, 30333, USA

    Robert T. Chen, Gina Mootrey & Frank DeStefano

Authors
  1. Robert T. Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gina Mootrey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Frank DeStefano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chen, R.T., Mootrey, G. & DeStefano, F. Safety of Routine Childhood Vaccinations. Paediatr Drugs 2, 273–290 (2000). https://doi.org/10.2165/00128072-200002040-00004

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00128072-200002040-00004

Keywords

Search

Navigation