Allergic reactions following influenza vaccination

A brief description of allergic events occurring after administration of Grippol®, a polyoxidonium adjuvanted split virus influenza vaccine produced in the Russian Federation, was presented. There is a paucity of information regarding these events, and WHO could not secure additional information on the investigation. As such, it is unclear if events reported in the media were compatible with expected rates of allergic reactions or represented an increase and possibly some manufacturing problems. GACVS nevertheless recommends that countries using this vaccine put in place a surveillance system for the upcoming influenza season so that its safety profile can be better characterized. Improved information sharing regarding the safety profile of influenza vaccines is critical for pandemic influenza preparedness.

Full report of GACVS meeting of 12-13 June 2007, published in the WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record on 20 July 2007