Parents have come to depend on vaccines to protect their children from a variety of diseases. Some evidence suggests, however, that vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough) and rubella (German measles) is, in a small number of cases, associated with increased risk of serious illness.


This book examines the controversy over the evidence and offers a comprehensively documented assessment of the risk of illness following immunization with vaccines against pertussis and rubella. Based on extensive review of the evidence from epidemiologic studies, case histories, studies in animals, and other sources of information, the book examines:




The relation of pertussis vaccines to a number of serious adverse events, including encephalopathy and other central nervous system disorders, sudden infant death syndrome, autism, Guillain-Barre syndrome, learning disabilities, and Reye syndrome.
The relation of rubella vaccines to arthritis, various neuropathies, and thrombocytopenic purpura.


The volume, which includes a description of the committee's methods for evaluating evidence and directions for future research, will be important reading for public health officials, pediatricians, researchers, and concerned parents.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
1 Executive Summary
2 Histories of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines
3 Methodologic Considerations in Evaluating the Evidence
4 Evidence Concerning Pertussis Vaccines and Central Nervous System Disorders, Including Infantile Spasms, Hypsarrhythmia, Aseptic Meningitis, and Encephalopathy
5 Evidence Concerning Pertussis Vaccinces and Deaths Classified as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
6 Evidence Concerning Pertussis Vaccines and Other Illnesses and Conditions
7 Evidence Concerning Rubella Vaccines and Arthritis, Radiculoneuritis, and Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Afterword on Research Needs
Bibliography
Glossary of Terms
Appendix A: Strategies for Gathering Information: Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines
Appendix B: Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines: A Brief Chronology
Appendix C: Animal Models for the Study of Whooping Cough and the Testing of Vaccine Materials
Appendix D: Technical Details of Power Calculations and Meta-Analyses
Appendix E: Possible Involvement of Aluminum Salts in Erythema Multiforme, Encephalopathy, or Other Adverse Events After Pertussis Immunization
Appendix F: Committee and Staff Biographies
Index