Adverse reactions after pertussis vaccination

During 1970 to 1977 adverse reactions after pertussis vaccination were reported for 149 persons, 56% male and 44% female. Their symptoms permitted to divide the vaccinees into 2 groups, the first with more severe (S) and the second with other symptoms (O). No differences were observed in age and sex among the two groups. The interval between vaccination and appearance of first symptoms was longer for the O than for the S group. While less than one quarter of the reactions in the O group occurred after primovaccination, more than half of the S side effects were seen after the first vaccination. Further analysis of the S group revealed that all but two of their symptoms (fever and encephalopatht) corresponded to the hypoglycaemic syndrome. The consequences hereof are discussed with regard to prevention and therapy.