Swine flu vaccine adjuvants and multiple sclerosis - Is there potential for harmful effect?

Vaccines are generally considered a simple compound and clinicians are sometimes unaware of the possible dangers related to the new adjuvanted vaccine approach. Due to their cost effectiveness and in order to obtain stronger response with a lower antigen dose, adjuvanted vaccines are preferred during pandemics. Adjuvants are strong immunostimulants and may be harmful in some special patient groups, such as in multiple sclerosis. There is a significant need for the effort among clinicians to heighten the awareness of the potential harms. In patient groups like multiple sclerosis, it is very important to advise vaccination with non-adjuvanted vaccines. Pure vaccine (without adjuvant) must be obtained for these groups. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.