Rubella vaccine and arthritic adverse reactions: An analysis of the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) database from 1991 through 1998

The United States Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported in 1991 that the evidence indicates a causal relationship between the currently used rubella vaccine and acute and chronic arthritis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the associated arthritic reactions reported follo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical and experimental rheumatology 2001-11, Vol.19 (6), p.724-726
Main Authors: GEIER, D. A, GEIER, M. R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems - statistics & numerical data
Arthritis - etiology
Biological and medical sciences
Databases, Factual - statistics & numerical data
Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous (drug allergy, mutagens, teratogens...)
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Retrospective Studies
Rubella - prevention & control
Rubella Vaccine - adverse effects
Vaccination - adverse effects
Vaccination - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:The United States Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported in 1991 that the evidence indicates a causal relationship between the currently used rubella vaccine and acute and chronic arthritis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the associated arthritic reactions reported following rubella immunization from 1991 through 1998 to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) database. A certified copy of the VAERS database was obtained from the CDC. Microsoft Access was used to analyze the database. The results show that rubella vaccine is associated with a number of arthritic reactions reported to the VAERS database. Adult female patients need to make informed decisions on whether or not rubella vaccination is right for them. Doctors and patients must together make an informed consent decision about the risk verses the benefit to the patient in their particular life situation. Additionally, those patients who have had an adverse reaction to rubella vaccination should be informed that they may seek compensation under the no-fault Vaccine Compensation Act, which is administered by the US Claims Court.
ISSN:0392-856X