Importance of attributable risk in monitoring adverse events after immunization: Hepatitis B vaccination in children

G. De Serres, B. Duval, N. Boulianne, M. Rochette, M. Dionne, M.D. Fradet and R. Massé

American Journal of Public Health, 2001, vol. 91, issue 2, 313-315

Abstract: Objectives. Most vaccine safety data present only the postvaccination incidence of all adverse events rather than an estimate of attributable risk. This study sought to illustrate the difference between the 2 estimates with data from a hepatitis B immunization program. Methods. The incidence of health problems occurring before and after each dose of hepatitis B vaccine in a cohort of 1130 children were compared. Results. Although 47.5% of all children reported an adverse event during the 4 weeks following each of the 3 doses, adverse events attributable to immunization occurred in only 10.6% of children. Conclusions. Postimmunization incidence systematically overestimates the risk of adverse events. Estimating actual attributable risk is necessary to avoid false beliefs regarding immunization.

Date: 2001
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2001:91:2:313-315_9

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