Vaccine Safety Data Show Risk Levels For Febrile Seizures After MMRV Vaccine

Main Category: Immune System / Vaccines
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 29 Jun 2010 - 3:00 PDT

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Researchers found a higher risk of febrile seizures 7 to 10 days after vaccination with Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella combination vaccine (MMRV) compared to when MMR and varicella vaccines were given separately. Febrile seizures are seizures caused by a sudden spike in body temperature, and they are generally harmless.

According to the study, "Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella Combination Vaccine and the Risk of Febrile Seizures," published in the July 2010 print issue of Pediatrics (published online June 28), vaccination with MMRV resulted in one additional febrile seizure for every 2,300 doses given, compared to separate MMR plus varicella vaccines, but only in the 7 to 10 days following the vaccination.

The researchers looked at Vaccine Safety Datalink information on more than 83,000 MMRV vaccine recipients and more than 376,000 MMR plus varicella vaccine recipients from 2000 to 2008. The children were 12 to 23 months old at the time of the vaccinations.

Source:
American Academy of Pediatrics

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