Intussusception Adverse Events Post Vaccination and Etiology Model

Aim: Intussusception is a rare serious adverse event (SAE) that occurs following immunization (AEFI) and viral infections. The etiology of intussusception is currently unknown. This study analyzes infant intussusception AEFIs. Methods: The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database is retrospectively examined for intussusception AEFIs in young children. Results: Intussusception AEFIs are associated with all rotavirus vaccines. The risk level is higher for infants age 0 than age 1 and also for specific other concomitant vaccine combinations. Conclusions: An etiology model of vaccine induced hyperplasia of Peyer’s Patches disrupting the tissue support of enclosed intestinal segment results in enfolding of this segment into the subsequent segment is proposed. To reduce risk levels, it is recommended to avoid concomitant administration of rotavirus vaccine with other vaccines (i.e., reducing the risk of hyperplasia in Peyer’s Patches). These results support the development and evaluation of rotavirus vaccines with improved safety profiles.