Side effects of travel vaccinations investigation by telephone interview in Berlin

The local and systemic side effects of some frequently administered travel vaccines were analysed in a prospective study on 3488 travelers using a standardised telephone interview procedure. The vaccines studied were yellow fever, diphtheria toroid (d), tetanus diphtheria toroid (Td), oral polio (OPV) and oral typhoid. Combined vaccinations studied were Td + OPV, Td + yellow fever, d + OPV and d + yellow fever. After single vaccination 30% of those inoculated reported slight local reactions, 3% had moderate local reactions and 18% complained about systemic side effects. After combined vaccinations 47% suffered from slight local reactions, 7% had moderate local reactions and 22% developed systemic side effects. Of all vaccines studied Td produced the highest frequency of local reactions. The combined vaccinations containing yellow fever vaccine were less well tolerated than the corresponding single vaccines. Systemic and local side effects were experienced more frequently by women, except in the case of diphtheria toroid. Young travelers had more frequent and more severe side effects than older travelers after yellow fever vaccination, and after the combinations of Td + yellow fever, Td + OPV and d + yellow fever vaccinations. The side effects observed were mostly mild and none of the vaccinated travelers consulted a doctor for side effects. After travel vaccinations there are frequent, but well tolerated local and systemic side effects. Combined vaccinations are also well tolerated; their components determine the incidence of side effects.