Acute neurological events associated with influenza vaccination: are the WHO criteria for assessing causality adequate?

Scand J Infect Dis. 2008;40(6-7):565-70. doi: 10.1080/00365540701793709.

Abstract

We identified neurological admissions temporally associated with influenza vaccine to determine the likelihood of causality using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Although all cases were categorized as possibly related to the vaccine, most had a compelling alternative explanation. This observation suggests that the current WHO criteria may not be sufficient in determining if an adverse event is truly vaccine related.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Central Nervous System Diseases*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Evaluation / standards*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines / adverse effects*
  • Male

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines