Anaphylaxis following vaccinations


  • The incidence of anaphylaxis following immunisations is rare. It is estimated to occur following 1 per 100,000 to 1 per 1,000,000 doses for the most commonly administered vaccines.
  • The timing of onset can be variable. Most occur rapidly, within minutes, however it is not uncommon for signs of anaphylaxis to present 15 minutes or more after exposure to the antigen.
  • Anaphylaxis or anaphylaxis-type reactions following immunisation in the UK have to be reported to the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

References

Anaphylaxis RCUK

The Green Book Chapter 8

Dreskin et Al , (2016). International Consensus (ICON): allergic reactions to vaccines. World Allergy Organization Journal.

Erlewyn-Lajeunesse M, Hunt LP, Heath PT, et al (2012). Anaphylaxis as an adverse event following immunisation in the UK and Ireland. Archives of Disease in Childhood 2012;97:487-490.