Non-specific effects of vaccines: RCTs, not observational studies, are needed

Pollard, A.J.; Pollard, A.J

doi:10.1136/archdischild-2012-301873

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Non-specific effects of vaccines: RCTs, not observational studies, are needed

Pollard, A.J.

Archives of Disease in Childhood 97(8): 677-678

2012

ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9888

PMID: 22753770

DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2012-301873

Document Number: 564216

For more than 15 years, Peter Aaby and colleagues have been studying mortality after infant vaccination in various sub-Saharan African populations and describing ‘non-specific’ or ‘heterologous’ effects of the vaccines on infant death.1–

11 In summary, Aaby's observations suggest that live vaccines such as BCG and measles reduce all-cause mortality (ie, mortality caused by afflictions other than tuberculosis or measles infection) in the period after they are administered, while, at least in girls, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) containing vaccines increase mortality.Before discussing this phenomenon further, it must be taken in the context of a remarkably successful WHO expanded programme on immunisation, which currently prevents more than 2 million childhood deaths every year12 and will do more in the decade ahead as vaccines continue to be rolled out against Haemophilus.

Non-specific effects of vaccines: RCTs, not observational studies, are needed

Pollard, A.J.

Archives of Disease in Childhood 97(8): 677-678

2012

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