title: The risk of simple febrile seizures after immunisation with a new group B meningococcal vaccine, New Zealand.
abstract: As part of safety monitoring during a group B meningococcal disease vaccination campaign in New Zealand, we examined the possible excess risk of vaccine-associated simple febrile seizures (SFS). We conducted a cohort analysis using data from active hospital-based surveillance in the South Auckland area and a national immunisation register. Based on analysis of approximately 63,000 doses, we found no statistically significant increase in SFS incidence within 1, 2, 4, or 7 days after vaccination for any/all doses administered to children aged 6 months through 4 years. We concluded that the vaccine is unlikely to induce a heightened risk of SFS.
authors.affiliation: Meningococcal Vaccine Strategy, Ministry of Health, Wellington, New Zealand. pstehrgreen@att.net
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stehr-Green
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Radke
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kieft
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Galloway
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McNicholas
authors.forename: Stewart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / Q000276:immunology*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines