Seizure Risk for Children Combination Vaccine

Seizure Risk for Children Combination Vaccine – Toddlers who receive vaccines that combine the measles/mumps/rubella and chickenpox immunizations show twice the risk for fevers that may lead to convulsions, according to a new study that was recently released.
The current rate is around 1 seizure per 1,000 vaccinations. However, in children who received the combination vaccine, there is a slight difference, as an additional 1 seizure occurs for every 2,300 vaccinated. While that number may not seem all that large, it is a significant change in the number of seizures experienced each and every year.


The study was performed by Dr. Nicola Klein, director of the Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center. The reactions occurred anywhere from one week to ten days after the child received the shot.
In most cases, the convulsions are not life threaten. Usually the problem rights itself and no intervention is ever required. Currently fever related convulsions are not linked to long term complications in the wake of the seizure, and also have not been linked with an increased risk for seizure disorders later in the life.
The study used the government’s Vaccine Safety Datalink. The system compiles data from any of the eight managed-care organizations online. They compared this data to other data that had been collection on fever reactions among 83,107 one year olds. When the data was compiled, a trend was seen in the use of the particular type of vaccine. Further testing will have to be done to ensure that the results of the study are correct.
“Unless parents have a strong preference for the combination vaccine, providers should use a separate vaccine,” Dr. Klein said.

Filed Under: Research