Report

Immunization Safety Review: Multiple Immunizations and Immune Dysfunction

Released:: January 9, 2003
Type:: Consensus Report
Topic(s):: Children and Families, Public Health
Activity:: Immunization Safety Review
Board(s):: Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice

By two years of age, healthy infants in the United States can receive up to 20 vaccinations to protect against 11 diseases. Although most people know that vaccines effectively protect against serious infectious diseases, many parents question: Can too many immunizations overwhelm an infant's immune system? Reasonable theories exist for how vaccines could cause these effects.

The Immunization Safety Review committee reviewed the evidence regarding the hypothesis that multiple immunizations increase the risk for immune dysfunction, with a focus on evidence related to risk for infections, the autoimmune disease type I diabetes, and allergic disorders.

The committee found that evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between multiple immunizations and increased risk for infections and for type I diabetes. They also found that epidemiological evidence regarding risk for allergic disease, particularly asthma, was inadequate to accept or reject a causal relationship. The committee recommended continued attention in the form of policy analysis, research, and communication strategy development to inform those concerned about these issues and to encourage parents to vaccinate their children.

Report at a Glance

Report Brief. Immunization Safety Review: Multiple Immunizations and Immune Dysfunction (PDF)

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Other Reports by this Activity

Displaying: 3 of 7 Reports

Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism This eighth and final report of the Immunization Safety Review Committee examines the hypothesis that vaccines, specifically the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines, are causally associated with autism. The committee reviewed the extant published and unpublished epidemiological studies regarding causality and studies of potential biologic mechanisms by which these immunizations might cause autism. The committee concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Released: May 14, 2004
Immunization Safety Review: Influenza Vaccines and Neurological Complications Infection with the influenza virus can have a serious effect on the health of people of all ages, although it is particularly worrisome for infants, the elderly, and people with underlying heart or lung problems. At least 35,000 people die in the United States every year from influenza infection. A vaccine exists (the â€œfluâ€ shot) that can greatly decrease the impact of influenza.
Released: October 6, 2003
Immunization Safety Review: Vaccinations and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy With current recommendations calling for infants to receive multiple doses of vaccines during their first year of life and with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) the most frequent cause of death during the postneonatal period, it is important to respond to concerns that vaccination might play a role in sudden unexpected infant death.
Released: March 31, 2003