Vaccination against infectious agents and allergen-specific immunotherapy: A critical analysis

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and vaccination against infectious agents (VIA) are treatments actively interfering with the immune system. This raises the question of whether these therapies influence each other positively and/or negatively if applied simultaneously. For AIT, it should be taken into account that the mechanisms of subcutaneous and sublingual allergen application are in principle similar, but must be assessed in respect to vaccination differently due to their different routes of allergen administration. Here, the immunological mechanisms of both AIT application forms in respect to VIA are discussed in more detail followed by a critical discussion based on the literature and considering current practice.