Oculo-respiratory syndrome: a new influenza vaccine-associated adverse event?
During the 2000-2001 influenza immunization campaign in Canada, a new adverse event, oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS), was noted in association with administration of vaccine supplied by one manufacturer. The original case definition for ORS specified bilateral conjunctivitis, facial edema, or respiratory symptoms beginning 2-24 h after influenza vaccination and resolving within 48 h after onset. To characterize the spectrum, severity, and impact of ORS, we contacted persons who had reported any influenza vaccine-associated adverse event in British Columbia, Canada, during the 2000-2001 vaccination campaign. With use of a standardized telephone interview, we collected information from 609 (79%) of 769 eligible persons. Thirteen percent of ORS-affected persons reported onset <or=2 h after vaccination, 27% experienced symptoms for >48 h, and 42% considered the symptoms to be severe. The surveillance case definition for ORS for 2001-2002 was revised to include onset <or=24 h after vaccination, with no restriction on duration. ORS should be incorporated into annual influenza vaccine safety monitoring.
Skowronski
Danuta M
DM
University of British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. danuta.skowronski@bccdc.ca
Strauss
Barbara
B
De Serres
Gaston
G
MacDonald
Diane
D
Marion
Stephen A
SA
Naus
Monika
M
Patrick
David M
DM
Kendall
Perry
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013577:Syndrome
D007252:Influenza Vaccines