Reactions after pneumococcal vaccine alone or in combination with influenza vaccine

• Published in: Vaccine 2004-08, Vol.22 (23), p.3087-3091
• Main Authors: Sočan, Maja, Frelih, Tatjana, Janet, Evgen, Petraš, Teodora, Peternelj, Brigita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adverse reactions; Age Factors; Aged; Applied microbiology; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Body temperature; Chronic illnesses; Female; Fever - epidemiology; Fever - etiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Immunization; Influenza; Influenza vaccine; Influenza Vaccines - adverse effects; Influenza virus; Male; Metabolic disorders; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Pain - epidemiology; Pain - etiology; Pneumococcal vaccine; Pneumococcal Vaccines - adverse effects; Pneumonia; Sex Factors; Side effects; Simultaneous vaccination; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vaccines; Vaccines, antisera, therapeutical immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies (general aspects); Vaccines, Combined - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2004.02.003

We studied adverse reactions to immunisation in 541 individuals receiving simultaneous pneumoccocal and influenza vaccination, and in 320 recipients of pneumococcal vaccine alone. Five days after immunisation, the participants completed a questionnaire covering systemic and local reactions to vaccination. Adverse effects were rated as mild if they did not interfere with the participant’s daily activities, and moderate or serious if they moderately or markedly restricted these activities. There were no differences between the groups regarding general malaise, headache, myalgias and elevated body temperature. Redness at the injection site, but not soreness or swelling, occurred more frequently in individuals immunised simultaneously with both vaccines. Except for fever and local swelling, adverse reactions were significantly more frequent in women than in men in study groups. The rate of adverse reactions was higher in individuals less then 65 years of age than in older participants. Local reactions were reported by 358 (41.6%) participants, but they were mild and soon subsided. No serious reactions were reported. pneumococcal and influenza vaccine can be safely administered simultaneously.