One of the most common side effects and reactions from a vaccine is an allergy. The reaction may be a mild, sore arm, or can it can be as serious as a life threatening condition known as hives and anaphylaxis. The delayed-type reactions can take days to years to fully manifest.
VAERS Reports for Anaphylactic Reactions
VAERS Reports for Asthma
The Hepatitis B Vaccine – “Finally, as with any vaccination, the risk of anaphylaxis (hives, difficulty breathing, shock) is a real. There is an estimated incidence of about 1 anaphylactic reaction per 600,000 vaccine doses distributed. Thus, further administration of hepatitis B vaccine would be contraindicated (not recommended) for persons who have demonstrated a previous anaphylactic reaction following a previous dose of hepatitis B vaccine.”
June 13, 2018 – Food based dietary patterns and chronic disease prevention “Rapid Response: Milk containing vaccines cause milk allergies, EoE, autism and type 1 diabetes The authors are ignoring a major cause of why food has become dangerous. Food protein containing vaccines, program the immune system to recognize food as pathogens. Injecting cow’s milk containing vaccines causes IgE mediated sensitization to cow’s milk proteins (bovine casein, bovine folate receptor (FR) proteins, bovine insulin etc.) Subsequently consuming cow’s milk (either because allergy is mild or oral immunotherapy) causes synthesis of IgG4 against all of the above proteins.
September 18, 2017 – Effect of endotoxin and alum adjuvant vaccine on peanut allergy “OVA/alum vaccines were administered subcutaneously to provide alum exposure before gastric peanut sensitization to evaluate alum’s influence on allergen hypersensitivity. Although TH1-inducing adjuvants used prophylactically or coadministered with allergens reduce the development of allergen-specific hypersensitivity reactions in mice, widespread prophylaxis with TH1-inducing adjuvants to reduce the development of allergy in human subjects is not practical. However, it might be practical to modify current vaccine formulations to contain alum and TH1-biased adjuvants to induce a balanced TH1/TH2 response and reduce the development of allergic disease. Therefore we evaluated the TH1-inducing adjuvants MPL or CpG combined with alum for their ability to enhance OVA-specific TH1 responses and influence peanut allergy outcomes.”
July 30, 2017 – DNA methylation of Th2 lineage determination genes at birth is associated with allergic outcomes in childhood “Associations between umbilical cord methylation of CpG loci within IL-4R with atopic eczema at 12 months (median ratio 1.02, p=0.028), and TBET with atopy (median ratio 0.98, p=0.017) at 6-7 years of age were also observed. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Our findings provides further evidence of a developmental contribution to the risk of later allergic disorders, and suggests that involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in childhood asthma is already demonstrable at birth.”
July 17, 2017 – How much atopy is attributable to common childhood environmental exposures? A population-based birth cohort study followed to adulthood “The absolute risks attributable to these exposures will be different in other cohorts and we cannot assume that these associations are necessarily causal. Nevertheless, the findings suggest that identifiable childhood environmental factors contribute substantially to atopic sensitization.” Comment: What no mention of vaccination?
May 18, 2017 – Allergic adverse events following 2015 seasonal influenza vaccine, Victoria, Australia “At 3 May 2015, 11 (25%) of the 44 TIV AEFI reports received were allergy-related; this was an increase from 15 (12%) of 128 reports received by SAEFVIC throughout 2014 (RR: 2.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00 to 4.56). The national DAEN database was accessed but was unable to inform the investigation as data were available only to end of January 2015, before season commencement. Personal communication with other jurisdictions and review by the TGA and the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Vaccines (ACSOV) acknowledged the potential signal in Victoria, but agreed there was insufficient evidence of clinical severity to alter the risk-benefit of the ongoing influenza vaccination programme.”
March 13, 2017 – Sensitization to bovine serum albumin as a possible cause of allergic reactions to vaccines “11/20, 5/20, 2/20, 2/20, 1/20 and 1/20 patients reported allergic reactions to measles containing, JE, rabies primary chick embryo, pentavalent, diphtheria and tetanus, and adult diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, respectively. Only one patient with allergy to vaccines had gelatin specific IgE, whereas IgE to BSA was seen in 73.3%, 90%, 66.6% and 0 of vaccine, beef or CM allergic and non-atopic controls, respectively.”
February 13, 2017 – A clinical trial of intradermal and intramuscular seasonal influenza vaccination in patients with atopic dermatitis “After intradermal, but not intramuscular, vaccination, participants with AD with S aureus colonization experienced (1) lower seroprotection and seroconversion rates and lower hemagglutination-inhibition
October 2016 – Associations between allergic diseases and attention deficit hyperactivity/oppositional defiant disorders in children “Children having symptoms of allergic diseases within the past 1 y were associated with having all dimensions of symptoms of ADHD and ODD. Children with ever having a physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis were associated with inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive symptoms of ADHD. Ever diagnosed asthma was associated with ADHD and ODD. Ever diagnosed allergic rhinitis was associated with inattentive and combined symptoms of ADHD and ODD.”
September 16, 2016 – International Consensus (ICON): allergic reactions to vaccines “Although most episodes of anaphylaxis involve cutaneous symptoms of urticaria and/or angioedema, this is not universally the case. Skin and/or mucosal signs may be absent in 10–20 % of all episodes, and hypotension in infants often remains unrecognized. Unique aspects of anaphylaxis in infants, including behavioral changes and challenges regarding recognition of cardiovascular signs has recently been reviewed In general, underreporting of anaphylaxis is likely common.
September 13, 2016 – Maternal allergic disease history affects childhood allergy development through impairment of neonatal regulatory T-cells “The population characteristics that were examined for the children included: vaccination status, pet exposure, air conditioner exposure, breast feeding, diet, frequency of viral respiratory infections, medications, household income, parental education, and cohabitation with a smoker. Allergic wheezing (as a proxy for asthma in children ≤ 5 years old [19]), allergic rhinitis, and allergic eczema were diagnosed by paediatricians based on clinical manifestations, the presence of at least one sIgE+, and parent-described patient symptoms.”
September 12, 2016 – Immunizing Patients with Adverse Events Following Immunization and Potential Contraindications to Immunization: A report from the Special Immunization Clinics Network. “Conclusions: The most frequent reasons for referral to a SIC were allergic-like events and injection site reactions. Re-immunization was safe in most patients. Larger studies are needed to determine outcomes for specific types of AEFI.”
July 13, 2016 – Post-Marketing Surveillance of Human Rabies Diploid Cell Vaccine (Imovax) in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) in the United States, 1990‒2015 (full text) “We searched VAERS for US reports after HDCV among persons vaccinated from January 1, 1990-July 31, 2015. Medical records were requested for reports classified as serious (death, hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization, disability, life-threatening-illness), and those suggesting anaphylaxis and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). … VAERS received 1,611 reports after HDCV; 93 (5.8%) were serious. Among all reports, the three most common AEs included pyrexia (18.2%), headache (17.9%), and nausea (16.5%). Among serious reports, four deaths appeared to be unrelated to vaccination.” Comment: This has ALWAYS been their statement “unrelated to vaccination”.
July 12, 2016 – Vaccine Pricing and US Immunization Policies—Reply “For example, both the efficacy and safety of the meningococcal B vaccines are incompletely understood. As noted, the risk of anaphylaxis following administration of this vaccine series may be equal to the likelihood of disease prevention.”
May 2016 – Anaphylaxis After Immunization of Children and Adolescents in Germany “Anaphylaxis occurred most frequently following administration of AS03 adjuvanted A/H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine (n=8). The annual frequency of anaphylaxis after vaccination (excluding pandemic influenza vaccine as well as monovalent measles and rubella vaccines) was estimated to be 6.8 (95% CI: 6.1-10.9). The estimated incidence of anaphylaxis following administration of specific vaccines ranged from 0.4 to 127.6 cases per 1,000,000 doses administered.” Comment: AS03 is in the pipeline for a universal influenza vaccine.”
December 28, 2016 – Timing of routine infant vaccinations and risk of food allergy and eczema at one year of age“There was no overall association between delayed DTaP and food allergy, however children with delayed DTaP had less eczema and less use of eczema medication. Timing of routine infant immunizations may affect susceptibility to allergic disease.
2016 – Alum-Containing Vaccines Increase Total and Food Allergen-Specific IgE, and Cow’s Milk Oral Desensitization Increases Bosd4 IgG4 While Peanut Avoidance Increases Arah2 IgE: The Complexity of Today’s Child with Food Allergy “Alum-containing vaccines increased IgE, a phenomenon we have previously observed, whereas milk desensitization increased milk-component IgG4, a trend we have reported post-peanut OIT. (Also on JACI)
Volume 4 • Issue 4 2015 – Evidence that Food Proteins in Vaccines Cause the Development of Food Allergies and Its Implications for Vaccine Policy (pdf) “More than 15 million Americans are estimated to suffer life-threatening food allergies. Many studies looking into the cause of food allergies do not seem to consider vaccines or injections as a cause.”
September 11, 2015 – Highly increased levels of IgE antibodies to vaccine components in children with influenza vaccine–associated anaphylaxis “None of the patients with IVA had severe egg allergy. Levels of specific IgE antibodies to influenza vaccine antigens, whole-vaccine products from different manufacturers, and hemagglutinin proteins (A H1, H3, and B) derived from both egg and cell cultures were significantly increased in patients with IVA compared with those in control subjects.”
May 22, 2015 – Does Allergy Begin In Utero? “More recently a range of evidence shows that many of these genetic factors, together with in utero environmental exposures, lead to the development of allergic disease through altered immune and organ development. Environmental exposures during pregnancy including diet, nutrient intake, and toxin exposures can alter the epigenome and interact with inherited genetic and epigenetic risk factors to directly and indirectly influence organ development and immune programming. ”
March 24, 2015 – Pediatric anaphylactic adverse events following immunization in Victoria, Australia from 2007 to 2013 “The estimated incidence rate of anaphylaxis for DTaP vaccines was 0.36 cases per 100,000 doses, and 1.25 per 100,000 doses for MMR vaccines. The majority of cases had rapid onset, but in 24% (6/25) of cases, first symptoms of anaphylaxis developed ≥30 min after immunization. In 60% (15/25) of cases, symptoms resolved ≤60 min of presentation.
March 3, 2015 – Safe administration of a gelatin-containing vaccine in an adult with galactose-α-1,3-galactose allergy “We describe a patient with α-Gal allergy who successfully tolerated the live zoster vaccine and we review anaphylactic reactions reported to this vaccine. Our patient, who tolerated a vaccine containing the highest gelatin content, is reassuring but continued safety assessment of gelatin-containing vaccines for this patient cohort is recommended as there are multiple factors for this patient cohort that influence the reaction risk.”
February 12, 2015 – Safety of live attenuated influenza vaccine in atopic children with egg allergy “Four hundred thirty-three doses were administered to 282 children with egg allergy (median, 4.9 years; range, 2-17 years); 115 (41%) had experienced prior anaphylaxis to egg. A physician’s diagnosis of asthma/recurrent wheezing was noted in 67%, and 51% were receiving regular preventer therapy. There were no systemic allergic reactions (upper 95% CI for population, 1.3%). Eight children experienced mild self-limiting symptoms, which might have been due an IgE-mediated allergic reaction. Twenty-six (9.4%; 95% CI for population, 6.2% to 13.4%) children experienced lower respiratory tract symptoms within 72 hours, including 13 with parent-reported wheeze. None of these episodes required medical intervention beyond routine treatment. Comment: This study may very well be useless after an ACIP release yesterday. ACIP drops preference for nasal-spray flu vaccine in kids
February 2015 – Predicting post-vaccination autoimmunity: Who might be at risk? – “Fortunately, vaccination-related ASIA is uncommon. Yet, by defining individuals at risk we may further limit the number of individuals developing post-vaccination ASIA. In this perspective we defined four groups of individuals who might be susceptible to develop vaccination-induced ASIA: patients with prior post-vaccination autoimmune phenomena, patients with a medical history of autoimmunity, patients with a history of allergic reactions, and individuals who are prone to develop autoimmunity (having a family history of autoimmune diseases; asymptomatic carriers of autoantibodies; carrying certain genetic profiles, etc.).”
April 14, 2014 – Anaphylaxis after vaccination of children: Review of literature and recommendations for vaccination in child and school health services in Belgium “In a literature overview information is given about the definition of anaphylaxis, allergens in vaccines potentially causing anaphylaxis, published incidence rates of anaphylaxis after vaccination, and strategies for first-aid management of anaphylaxis. The Belgian guideline on the prevention of anaphylaxis after vaccination includes recommendations on prevaccination risk assessment, the content of the emergency kit, measures to be taken after vaccination, differential diagnosis and first-aid management of anaphylaxis.”…”considered as the actual state of the art in Belgium for vaccination of children and youngsters in preventive health services, and may inspire governmental bodies and/or professional groups in other countries to adopt similar recommendations.”
November 28, 2013 – Multivalent paediatric allergy vaccines protect against allergic anaphylaxis in mice “Immunisation with allergy vaccines produced antigen-specific protection against sensitisation as measured by systemic anaphylaxis in mice. The long-term effect was observed both after juvenile (5-6 weeks) and neonatal (7 days) vaccination. Monovalent and pentavalent vaccines were protective to a similar level. Protection was associated with increased secretion of IgG2a and production of IFN-γ. Protection could also be transferred to sensitised mice via serum or via CD25-positive CD4 T cells. Conclusion and clinical relevance Prophylactic and multivalent allergy vaccines in juvenile and neonatal mice protected against later sensitisation and anaphylaxis. Such treatment may provide a rational measure for future management of allergen-related diseases and their strong socioeconomic impact on daily life.”
October 19, 2013 – Increased risk of anaphylaxis following administration of 2009 AS03-adjuvanted monovalent pandemic A/H1N1 (H1N1pdm09) vaccine “A substantial number of patients with early-onset allergic symptoms met the most specific levels of the Brighton case definition but were not reported as anaphylaxis. Based on this specific case definition, the incidence of anaphylaxis after AS03-adjuvanted H1N1pdm09 vaccine substantially exceeded that reported with seasonal influenza vaccines, a signal that warrants better understanding.”
September 30, 2013 – Does BCG vaccination protect against childhood asthma? Final results from the Manchester Community Asthma Study retrospective cohort study and updated systematic review and meta-analysis“There were 1608 participants in the final MANCAS analysis. The 12-month prevalence of wheeze was 15.1%. There was no difference in prevalence between those who were and were not BCG vaccinated(15.8% vs 14.3%; relative risk, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.94-1.19). The updated meta-analysis incorporated 4 new studies: this showed that the protective effect of BCG vaccination against the development of asthma identified in our previous meta-analysis was attenuated (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.89-1.00). No protective effect of BCG was seen for sensitization, eczema/atopic dermatitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, or allergy in general.”
August 5, 2013 – Gender Differences in Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions to Vaccines: A Review of the Literature “Limited data from these studies suggest that women may have higher rates of IHS reactions following vaccination than men. Limitations to the available data include the lack of denominator data and that the definition of IHS was not consistent across the studies. Large-scale population-based studies are indicated to determine if there are differences in rates by gender and biologic basis for these differences.
July 31, 2013 – Allergic reactions to vaccines “Reactions are most often due to vaccine constituents rather than the microbial components of the vaccine, but in many instances, the specificingredient triggering the reaction cannot be definitively identified.”
July 4, 2013 – Infant anaphylaxis: the importance of early recognition (free pdf available) “Beta tryptase levels, however, were significantly higher in the SIDS group, and beta forms of tryptase are secreted during allergic/anaphylactic episodes. These findings raise the possibility that at least some cases of SIDS may be undiagnosed anaphylaxis.”
June 2013 – Factors associated with cord blood IgE levels “The maternal blood level of IgE was correlated with its level in cord blood. By multivariate analysis, the number of previous pregnancies, the type and season of delivery and a history of allergy during pregnancy and maternal age and blood IgE levels were variables which had a significant association with cord blood IgE levels.”…”Drug allergy 2 (1) 7.80 (2.54) 7.80 1 (0.6) ”
May 31, 2013 – The possible relationship between allergic manifestations and elevated serum levels of brain specific auto-antibodies in autistic children “Autistic patients with allergic manifestations had significantly higher serum levels of anti-MBP and anti-MAG auto-antibodies than those without these manifestations (P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). In conclusion, allergy may be a contributing factor to the increased serum levels of anti-MBP and anti-MAG auto-antibodies in some autistic children. Indeed, we need to know more about the links between allergy, immune system and brain in autism for finding new therapeutic modalities in autism.”
February 22, 2013 – Recent Rapid Responses to “Antivaccine Lobby” replies to the BMJ “The autopsy reports suggest hypersensitivity reaction in many of the cases. There is no test that can be performed on the vials to look for the hypersensitivity reaction. We depend on the Brighton Classification of AEFI to confirm causation. If a person gets a rash after taking some drug (medication), the way to be certain of a cause and effect relationship – is to give the same person the medicine again when he is well, and see if an identical rash develops. This is called a re-challenge to prove causation. However if the reaction results in death, the person cannot be re-challenged again and the best we can say is that there was no other cause for the death and so it was probably related to drug administered. If 2 such deaths occur, it is called a ‘cluster’ by the WHO and it makes cause and effect more certain. In Kerala we have 15 deaths already. No alternate cause for the deaths could be identified in spite of a diligent investigation.” Jacob Puliyel, Pediatrician St Stephens Hospital, Delhi
November 15, 2012 – Hypersensitivity reactions to the Sabin vaccine in children with cow’s milk allergy“ All of the patients had a history of milk allergy, and no history or current evidence of egg hypersensitivity was found. Levels of cow’s milk- and Sabin vaccine-specific IgE were increased, and the result of a skin prick test with cow’s milk proteins or the Sabin vaccine was positive in each patient. In addition, an ELISA using specific rabbit antiserum detected α-lactalbumin in the Sabin vaccine. When α-lactalbumin was employed as a soluble inhibitor in a competitive ELISA, binding to vaccine-coated plates by cow’s milk- or α-lactalbumin-specific rabbit antiserum or by patient serum containing IgE was inhibited.”
October 11, 2012 – Sixty-four children with persistent itching nodules and contact allergy to aluminium after vaccination with aluminium-adsorbed vaccines—prognosis and outcome after booster vaccination (pdf) “The children with itching nodules induced by these vaccines had intense and long-lasting itching with a median duration of 4 years, aggravated symptoms during intercurrent respiratory tract infections (39 %) and hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation and eczema in the itching area (32 %). The median interval between vaccination and onset of symptoms was remarkably long, 3 months. Contact allergy was demonstrated in 352 of 455 children with persistent itching nodules (77 %).”…“The median duration of their itching nodules was 4.6 years (2.0–8.3 years). Another 20 children were nearly recovered after, so far, a median itching time of 6.3 years. Twelve children were improved after a median time of 3.8 years, while eight still were in the initial phase with daily itching after a median time of 11 months.”
July 2012 – Adverse reactions to vaccines practice parameter 2012 update (pdf) “When a patient experiences an apparently IgE-mediated reaction after an immunization, the patient is often labeled as being ‘‘allergic’’ to the vaccine and advised against receiving future doses without further investigation. However, this approach should be avoided because it might leave patients inadequately immunized if they unnecessarily avoid vaccines to which they are not allergic or if the vaccine could be administered safely despite the allergy. In addition, not knowing the particular constituent of a vaccine to which the patient is allergic might pose a risk with future doses of other vaccines that contain the same ingredient.
March-April 2012 – Effectiveness of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in influenza-related hospitalization in children: A case-control study “There was an overall trend toward higher rates of hospitalization in subjects who got the injected flu shots (TIV) when compared with the ones who did not get the flu shot. Using the Cochrane-Mantel-Haenszel test for asthma status stratification, there was a significant association between hospitalization in asthmatic subjects and TIV (p = 0.001). The flu shot did not provide any protection against hospitalization in pediatric subjects, especially children with asthma. On the contrary, we found a threefold increased risk of hospitalization in subjects who did get the TIV vaccine.This may be a reflection not only of vaccine effectiveness but also the population of children who are more likely to get the vaccine.” Comment: Flu shots are strongly recommended for children and adults with asthma. This article documents that children who got a flu shot were three times more likely to be hospitalized than those who DID NOT get a flu shot.
August 2011 – Anaphylactic reactions to measles–mumps–rubella vaccine in three children with allergies to hen’s egg and cow’s milk “We present three cases of anaphylaxis that we encountered after MMR vaccination in children sensitized to hen’s egg and cow’s milk.”
2010 – Vaccine hypersensitivity – update and overview (pdf) “Gelatine is an animal protein derived from the connective tissue of swine and cattle. It is used as a stabilizer in attenuated viral containing vaccines. Gelatine may be added to many vaccines such as MMR (single or combined), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), DTaP and varicella. The amount of gelatine varies from vaccine to vaccine from <30 μg to >15 500 μg per dose .
July 28, 2009 – Methods and compositions for expressing negative-sense viral RNA in canine cells(patent)
January 26, 2009 – Opsoclonus myoclonus after human papilloma virus vaccine in a pediatric patient “The patient was a fully vaccinated and developmentally appropriate 11-year-old female with seasonal allergies andmild asthma. Her initial symptoms consisted of a sudden onset of increased ‘‘moodiness’’ causing uncharacteristic anger and depression. These symptoms presented approximately 15 days after receiving her first human papilloma virus (HPV) (Gardisil) vaccination on 11/26/2007.”
January 21, 2008 – Delay in diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus vaccination is associated with a reduced risk of childhood asthma “We found a negative association between delay in administration of the first dose of whole-cell DPT immunization in childhood and the development of asthma; the association was greater with delays in all of the first 3 doses. The mechanism for this phenomenon requires further research.”
November 2008 – Asthma prevalence and exacerbations in children: is there an association with childhood vaccination? (full text) “there was a strong causal relationship between gelatin-containing DTaP vaccination, anti-gelatin IgE production and risk of anaphylaxis from immunization with live viral vaccines, which contain a larger amount of gelatin. The mechanism of the reaction remains unknown.”
November 2005 – Nineteen cases of persistent pruritic nodules and contact allergy to aluminium after injection of commonly used aluminium-adsorbed vaccines “Rare cases of persistent pruritic nodules, sometimes associated with aluminium (Al) allergy, have been reported after the use of several Al adsorbed vaccines. During vaccine trials in the 1990s a high incidence of pruritic nodules were observed after the administration of diphtheria-tetanus acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines from a single producer. The children had intensely itching nodules at the injection site, often aggravated during upper respiratory tract infections, and local skin alterations. So far, the symptoms have persisted for up to 7 years. The median time between vaccination and onset of symptoms was 1 month. 16 children were skin tested for Al, all with positive reactions indicating delayed hypersensitivity to Al. The condition is not commonly known but is important to recognise, as the child and the family may suffer considerably. Future vaccinations with Al-adsorbed vaccines may cause aggravation of the symptoms and the Al allergy. Al-containing skin products, such as antiperspirants, may cause contact dermatitis. Nodules may be mistaken for tumors….We conclude that intensely itching subcutaneous nodules, lasting for many years, and hypersensitivity to aluminium may occur after DTaP/polio+Hib vaccination of infants.” Comment: How many of these nodules are diagnosed as something completely different because doctors are not aware of aluminum-vaccine related side effects? Seven years is a long time to suffer to avoid a transient childhood illness.
November 2004 – Immunisation with aluminium-containing vaccine of a child with itching nodule following previous vaccination. We studied the incidence, clinical course, prognosis and occurrence of aluminium (Al) allergy in children with itching nodules at the injection site for aluminum hydroxide adsorbed vaccines from a single producer (Statens Serum Institute (SSI), Denmark). Itching nodules were diagnosed in 645 of 76,000 vaccinees (0.8%) and occurred after both subcutaneous and intramuscular injection. The children have intense chronic or intermittent itching often with secondary skin changes. So far 154 of 627 children, who could be followed, have recovered after 1-82 (median 37) months. 352 of 455 (77%) children with itching nodules had positive epicutaneous tests. 17 of 211 (8%) symptomless siblings who had received SSI vaccines had positive tests. The 54 siblings who had never received an SSI vaccine had negative tests.
November 2004 – Mechanistic actions of the risks and adverse events associated with vaccine administration (full text) “IgE-mediated responses have been theorized to occur as a result of initial low-dose exposure to DTaP (28 μg/dose) or influenza (250 μg/dose) gelatin-containing vaccines, followed by exposure to higher-gelatin-content vaccines like varicella (12,500 μg/dose) and MMR vaccines. Oral sensitization from food gelatins might also contribute to the susceptibility of patients to these vaccines.”…”Methods to skin test for gelatin are not available; for individuals with anaphylaxis to gelatin-containing vaccines, anti-gelatin IgE testing might assist in future vaccine choices.”
September 2004 – Persistent itching nodules after the fourth dose of diphtheria-tetanus toxoid vaccines without evidence of delayed hypersensitivity to aluminum. We identified 3-6 children per 10,000 with a local itching nodule persisting for at least 2 months. There were no significant differences between the vaccine groups. Contact allergy to aluminum was not detected. Continued surveillance of persistent itching nodules and aluminum contact allergy is, however, warranted for vaccines containing pertussis toxoid and aluminum.
March 2004 – A Case Report of Occupational Asthma due to Gluteraldehyde Exposure
February 2004 – Itching nodules and aluminium allergy induced by vaccination with adsorbed vaccines “The high incidence of itching nodules and sensitization to aluminium after SSI vaccines is unexplained, because the Al salt used is present in many other adsorbed vaccines. Contact allergy to aluminium is not a trivial problem; as the children grow older, the number of cases with eczema after deodorant, sun skin protectors and other aluminium containing skin care products steadily increase.”
December 6, 2003 – Influenza Vaccination in Children with Asthma Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-controlled Trial “We conclude that influenza vaccination did not result in a significant reduction of the number, severity, or duration of asthma exacerbations caused by influenza. Additional studies are warranted to justify routine influenza vaccination of children with asthma. ”
December 2003 – Unexpectedly high incidence of persistent itching nodules and delayed hypersensitivity to aluminum in children after the use of adsorbed vaccines from a single manufacturer. During trials of aluminum adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus/acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines from a single producer, persistent itching nodules at the vaccination site were observed in an unexpectedly high frequency. Itching nodules were found in 645 children out of about 76,000 vaccinees (0.8%) after both subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) injection. The itching was intense and long-lasting. So far, 75% still have symptoms after a median duration of 4 years. Contact hypersensitivity to aluminum was demonstrated in 77% of the children with itching nodules and in 8% of the symptomless siblings who had received the same vaccines (P<0.001). Children with persistent itching nodules and/or aluminum sensitization should be warned about aluminum containing products (e.g. vaccines and antiperspirants).
December 2003 – Removal of gelatin from live vaccines and DTaP-an ultimate solution for vaccine-related gelatin allergy.
August 1, 2003 – A Retrospective Cohort Study of the Association of Varicella Vaccine Failure With Asthma, Steroid Use, Age at Vaccination, and Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccination (full text)
May 5, 2004 – “IgE in Umbilical Cord Blood” “The practice of immunizing newborns with Hepatitis B should be discontinued based on the immune system not being fully developed until age 2 (Ref. 4.2 V50.3A) and screening their mothers for Hepatitis B.”
April 1, 2003 – Avoiding allergic reactions to childhood vaccines (and what to do when they occur)The sheer number of recommended childhood immunizations makes it imperative that pediatricians be able to recognize and treat allergic reactions and identify those children in whom revaccination is contraindicated. “Stabilizers are added to vaccines to stabilize the vaccine antigen. Porcine gelatin is the stabilizer contained within MMR and its component vaccines and in varicella, viral influenza, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and DTaP vaccines (Table 4). Patients reporting clinical gelatin allergy have usually reacted to the bovine gelatin contained in foods. These patients may be at risk of allergic reactions following administration of gelatin-containing vaccines. It is possible that many reactions previously attributed to egg allergy in MMR recipients were due to gelatin allergy. IgE antibodies to gelatin were detected in 93% of patients reporting anaphylaxis to the monovalent measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines in Japan.”
February 2003 – Lessons from macrophagic myofasciitis: towards definition of a vaccine adjuvant-related syndrome. “Electron microscopy, microanalytical studies, experimental procedures, and an epidemiological study recently demonstrated that the lesion is due to persistence for years at site of injection of an aluminum adjuvant used in vaccines against hepatitis B virus, hepatitis A virus, and tetanus toxoid. Aluminum hydroxide is known to potently stimulate the immune system and to shift immune responses towards a Th-2 profile.”
2001 – Allergenic components of vaccines and avoidance of vaccination-related adverse events “Some individuals have gelatin sensitivity, which may cause anaphylaxis. Selected vaccines contain antibiotic drugs, so it is important to note if an individual has any known drug sensitivity, especially to neomycin, polymyxin B, or amphotericin B. Lastly, vaccine preservatives may cause reactions, but this occurs very infrequently.”
October 2000 – Systemic allergic reactions to gelatin included in vaccines as a stabilizer. (pdf) – “To test this hypothesis, we conducted a case-control study to determine whether children with anti-gelatin IgE had received gelatin-containing DTaP vaccines, and it was indeed found that all such children in the study had immunization histories that included the gelatin-containing DTaP vaccines. Based on these findings, the vaccine manufacturers had removed gelatin from all the DTaP and live-virus vaccines produced in Japan by 2000.”
April 1999 – Anaphylaxis following diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccination – a reminder (full text) “After the acute episode, he was given prick skin tests with 1/100 diluted DTP, diphtheria-tetanus, tetanus vaccines, histamine and normal saline, which revealed 3 ´ 4 mm oedema, and 12 ´ 16 mm erythema with the diluted DTP vaccine, a 5 ´ 7 mm oedema with histamine and no reactions with normal saline, diphtheria-tetanus or tetanus vaccines. The indirect conclusion was that he was allergic to the pertussis component of the DTP vaccine.
April 1999 – Anaphylaxis from yellow fever vaccine (full text) “A review of 243 VAERS reports submitted over an 8-year period disclosed 40 cases of probable or possible anaphylactic reactions to YF vaccine. In the 22 in which YF was the only vaccine given, the reactions were almost certainly caused by the YF vaccine. In those cases in which other vaccines were administered together with YF, the etiology of the reactions was less clear. These reports indicate that, despite the paucity of previous reports, reactions meeting a rigorous clinical definition of anaphylaxis do occur after YF vaccination.”
February 1999 – Urticaria following varicella vaccine associated with gelatin allergy “An uncommon reaction to varicella vaccine has been urticaria. Based on two reports of urticaria believed to be due to gelatin in recipients of measles–mumps–rubella vaccine, we suspected gelatin as the cause of generalized urticaria in two children after varicella vaccination. Intradermal testing with gelatin yielded a wheal and flare reaction in both children. We conclude that children known to be allergic to gelatin should not receive Oka/Merck varicella vaccine (VARIVAX®).”
May 22, 1998 – 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) “Updated information on adverse events and contraindications, particularly for persons with severe HIV infection, persons with a history of egg allergy or gelatin allergy, persons with a history of thrombocytopenia, and persons receiving steroid therapy.”
November 1997 – Is infant immunization a risk factor for childhood asthma or allergy? “The Christchurch Health and Development Study comprises 1,265 children born in 1977. The 23 children who received no diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) and polio immunizations had no recorded asthma episodes or consultations for asthma or other allergic illness before age 10 years; in the immunized children, 23.1% had asthma episodes, 22.5% asthma consultations, and 30.0% consultations for other allergic illness. Similar differences were observed at ages 5 and 16 years.”
December 1996 – Food allergy to gelatin in children with systemic immediate-type reactions, including anaphylaxis, to vaccines “We reconfirmed a strong relationship between systemic immediate-type allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, to vaccines and the presence of specific IgE to gelatin. Moreover, some of the children also had allergic reactions to food gelatin before or after vaccination.”
June 29, 1992 – Aluminum allergy caused by DTP vaccine. “Of the three patch test methods used, testing with 2% AlCl3 occluded with a Finn Chamber proved to be the most sensitive. Immunization of children who have been shown to be allergic to aluminium should be carried out with vaccines which do not contain aluminium.”
May 1992 – Vaccination granulomas and aluminium allergy: course and prognostic factors. 21 children who had cutaneous granulomas following immunization with a vaccine containing aluminum hydroxide, and who had positive patch tests to aqueous aluminum chloride and/or to a Finn Chamber, were followed for 1 to 8 years. During the period of observation, the symptoms cleared in 5 children, improved in 11, and 5 remained unchanged. The course of the granulomas could not be correlated with sex or atopy, nor with intensity of the initial aluminum patch test. 4 children were patch tested again with aluminum.
October 1987 – Monosodium L-glutamate-induced asthma. “”These challenge studies confirm that MSG can provoke asthma. The reaction to MSG is dose dependent and may be delayed up to 12 hours, making recognition difficult for both patient and physician.”
February 1987 – Anaphylaxis to DPT vaccine (pdf)
February 15, 1986 – Anaphylaxis due to vaccination in the office.
January 1, 1967 – Antibodies Involved in Antigen-Induced Release of Slow Reacting Substance of Anaphylaxis (SRS-A) in the Guinea Pig and Rat (pdf) “Fractions of rat antisera containing the first type of homocytotropic antibody, i.e. antibody mediating release of histamine and serotonin, prepared peritoneal tissues for the release of large amounts of these pharmacological agents and only small amounts of SRS-A. Two different mechanisms for the production of PCA lesions in the rat were considered. One of these involves the antigen-induced release of histamine and serotonin from mast cells sensitized by homocytotropic antibody.”
June 1, 1964 – The Production of Anaphylactic Antibody in the Rat “This anaphylactic antibody appeared early during immunization, was present in low titers, and disappeared from the serum in about 4 weeks.”
August 1958 – ECZEMA VACCINATUM – 1) No child with atopic eczema or other skin disorder should be vaccinated. 2) No child should be vaccinated if any member of his family has eczema or other skin disorder. 3) Parents of children with eczema should be notified at the onset of the disease of the danger from vaccination contact. 4) If a sibling of a child with atopic eczema is vaccinated, he must be completely separated from that child for at least 21 days. 5) Forms used by state and local health departments for parents’ consent to vaccination should include an appropriate warning of the contraindications. 6) Eczema vaccinatum should be a reportable disease. 7) Patients recently vaccinated must be excluded from pediatric wards containing patients with atopic eczema, other diseases of the skin, burns or healing surgical incisions. 8) Vaccination may be recommended at 2 months of age, especially for babies from strongly allergic families.”