Safety of pneumococcal revaccination

Abstract

Indications for pneumococcal polysaccharide revaccination include highest-risk patients vaccinated more than six years previously, but there is controversy regarding revaccination of patients with chronic medical conditions and revaccination of the elderly. The object of the study was to investigate whether revaccination with the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine would cause significant adverse reactions. 151 patients were revaccinated and completed a questionnaire concerning the 72 hours after the injection. Valid data were obtained from 127 patients. Mild systemic reactions varied from 4% to 8% and local reactions varied from 40% to 60%, which is not different from the reported reaction with the initial vaccination. This profile of adverse reactions after revaccination should minimize concerns about revaccination.

Sex differences in injection site reactions with human vaccines

“…These data are derived from studies with tetanus toxoid, 28,29,[89][90][91][92][93] diphtheria toxoid, 94-100 whole cell pertussis, 101 diphtheria/tetanus/acellular pertussis (DTaP) 38,102 and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. 57,81,[103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110] Inflammatory response follows the formation of immune complexes between the circulating antibodies and the injected antigen. This type of reaction is considered to be a Type III hypersensitivity reaction (Arthus reaction).…”

The place of pneumococcal vaccination

“…In one study in 127 patients revaccinated at least 6 years later, 4-8% reported mild systemic reactions (fever, arthralgia, myalgia) and 40-60% reported local reactions (induration, erythema, pain) 40. These incidences of unwanted effects were not much higher than those reported with first vaccination 36–38…”

Prophylaxe gegen Infektionen durch Streptococcus pneumoniae

“…Über 80% der immunkompetenten Erwachsenen zeigen zwei bis drei Wochen nach der Impfung einen Antikör-peranstieg [18,27,31]. Die Antikör-perantwort nimmt mit zunehmendem Alter ab (Abbildung 3).…”