Risks and benefits of vaccinations

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Medical interventions, including vaccinations, are intended to prevent disease and complications.
• Risk-benefit assessment is crucial for evaluating the efficacy and safety of medical treatments and preventive measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and explain methods for calculating the risks and benefits of vaccinations.
• To evaluate the current and future benefits of specific vaccinations in Austria and the US.

Main Methods:

• Utilized risk ratio (Q) to compare disease risk between unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals.
• Employed risk difference (D) to quantify preventable complications or deaths.
• Analyzed epidemiologic trends to determine the point at which vaccination benefits are balanced by risks.

Main Results:

• Vaccinations against measles, poliomyelitis, and tick-borne encephalitis demonstrate high benefits in Austria.
• BCG vaccination provides a sustained, low-level benefit against tuberculosis in Austria.
• Pertussis vaccination benefits have diminished for non-risk groups in Austria since 1976 but remain relevant in the US.

Conclusions:

• Mathematical formulas provide accurate risk-benefit assessments for vaccinations.
• The long-term benefit of certain vaccinations like BCG is established, while others like pertussis are context-dependent.
• Vaccination strategies must consider local epidemiology and temporal trends for optimal public health impact.