Re-vaccination of 421 children with a past history of an adverse vaccine reaction in a special immunisation service

Background-In Australia an event following immunisation (AEFI), with the ex ception of anaphylaxis and encephalopathy, is no longer considered an absol ute contraindication to continuing vaccination with the suspect vaccine. De spite these recommendations there is a paucity of information on the revacc ination of such children. Aims-To describe the re-vaccination of a large number of children with a pa st history of an AEFI. Methods-A review of children attending special immunisation services in thr ee Australian tertiary care paediatric centres. Results-During the review 970 children attended of whom 469 had experienced a past AEFI. Of these, 293 had experienced minor while 176 children had ex perienced significant neurological or allergic reactions. The majority (421 /469) were revaccinated, with only one child having a significant neurologi cal event; this was transient and resolved spontaneously. Conclusions-Re-vaccination of children who have a past history of an AEFI a ppears safe. A special immunisation service should be part of a comprehensi ve immunisation programme.