Vaccination and Allergic Disease: A Birth Cohort Study

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.94.6.985
• Publication Date: 2008-12-02T01:58:24Z
• Authors: Tricia M. McKeever; Sarah A. Lewis; Chris Smith; Richard Hubbard
• Keywords: Male; Vaccination; Eczema; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Physicians, Family; Asthma; 3. Good health; Cohort Studies; England; Child, Preschool; Humans; Female; Child

Objectives. We examined the effect of vaccination for diphtheria; polio; pertussis and tetanus; or measles, mumps, and rubella on the incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma and eczema. Methods. We used a previously established birth cohort in the West Midlands General Practice research database. Results. We found an association between vaccination and the development of allergic disease; however, this association was present only among children with the fewest physician visits and can be explained by this factor. Conclusions. Our data suggest that currently recommended routine vaccinations are not a risk factor for asthma or eczema.