Anaphylactic reactions after COVID-19 vaccination in Germany.

. For the COVID-19 vaccines used in Germany, severe allergic (anaphylactic) reactions after vaccination have been reported in very rare cases. While Comirnaty and Spikevax are mRNA vaccines, Vaxzevria and Jcovden comprise vector vaccines, and Nuvaxovid a recombinant spike protein vaccine. The reporting rate of anaphylaxis after mRNA vaccination was higher in females receiving their first vaccination dose, with 0.97 and 1.12 reports per 100,000 vaccinations for Comirnaty and Spikevax, respectively, compared with vaccinated males and subsequent vaccinations. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI) investigated 106 responses of 321 cases of confirmed anaphylactic reactions concerning subsequent allergy testing and revaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine. The collected data indicate that only a small proportion of cases (22%) were IgE-mediated reactions. A large proportion (73%) of patients could be revaccinated under precautionary measures without recurrence of anaphylaxis. The pathomechanism of the majority of anaphylactic reactions remains unclear and should be investigated in further studies.

Retrospective multicenter matched case-control study on the risk factors for intussusception in infants less than 1 year of age with a special focus on rotavirus vaccines - the German Intussusception Study.

Studies associate rotavirus vaccination with intussusception. In Germany, a retrospective multicenter matched case-control study was performed to identify risk factors for intussusception with a special focus on rotavirus vaccines. Children with place of birth and residence in Germany who had been treated for intussusception from 2010 to 2014 and who had been less than 1 year old at the time of intussusception were recruited. Case report forms were independently validated by two pediatricians according to the criteria of intussusception defined by the Brighton Collaboration (BC). Cases with the highest diagnostic certainty (level 1) were matched with population-based controls by age, gender, federal state, and place of residence. Information on vaccine exposures originated from vaccination certificates. One hundred and sixteen cases were matched with 272 controls. A significantly increased adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for intussusception (5.74, 95% CI: 1.51-21.79) was detected in individuals immunized with rotavirus vaccine dose 1 prior to symptom onset as compared to non-exposed individuals. Age at the start of the rotavirus immunization series did not modify the risk of intussusception. The odds for intussusception were not increased postdose 2 and 3 as well as any dose. One further risk factor for intussusception, family history of intussusception (aOR 3.26, 95% CI 1.09 - 9.77) was identified. Breastfeeding was found to have a protective effect (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.33 - 0.88). Rotavirus vaccine dose 1 was associated with a 5.7-fold increased risk to develop intussusception regardless of age at immunization whereas the overall risk for intussusception in the first year of life was not increased.

A combination vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella.

A new combination vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) from GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals has recently been approved in Europe. It combines the components from two well-established, live, attenuated vaccines against measles, mumps and rubella. This review presents a summary of the development of this MMRV vaccine from published clinical studies. Seroconversion rates and antibody titers after the first and second dose are similar to those observed after concomitant administration of the MMR and varicella vaccines. Furthermore, the clinical profile of this combination vaccine, in terms of injection- site and general tolerability, is similar to that of the component vaccines. A higher incidence of low-grade fever has been noted following the first dose of MMRV vaccine, although it is no different from component vaccines following the second dose. MMRV vaccines were recommended in Germany in 2006 for administration in two doses to children aged 11-14 months and 15-23 months. They offer a convenient way to implement varicella vaccination and to achieve high vaccine coverage rates mirroring those of MMR vaccines. For other countries considering introducing these vaccines, the advantages for children, parents and healthcare providers of protecting against four diseases in a single vaccine should be noted.