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No vaccine that has yet been used has been free from side effects of one sort or another but severe side effects due to immunization are very rare. However, because our current knowledge of side effects is still partly incomplete, further studies should be undertaken to close these gaps of knowledge. The today's national and international standards for the manufacturing and quality control of vaccines almost exclude immunization risks due to faulty production. To detect very rare or delayed side effects, the qualified post-licensure surveillance must amend pre-licensure clinical trials on immunogenicity, reactogenicity and efficacy of new vaccines. The medical profession, the public and the media should be informed in more detail about true and perceived risks of immunization. The German Advisory Committee on Immunization (STIKO) will make the necessary recommendations. However, just as important as providing information about the potential side effects of vaccination is providing information about the much greater risk of refusing immunization.