Vaccinations skin changes

Influenza is an acute, febrile disease of the upper respiratory tract that is transmitted by droplet infection. The influenza virus (in humans, influenza A and B viruses play a role) is an RNA virus that codes for 10 viral proteins. The viral surface glycoproteins haemagglutinin and neuraminidase are particularly important for the infection of a cell. These surface glycoproteins are subject to a high variability of their amino acid sequences (drift). Antibody formation against viral haemagglutinin is the most important defence strategy of the infected host against the virus. The antigenic drift of the viruses requires regular adaptation of the vaccine. For vaccination, split vaccines are taken from killed influenza viruses.

Side effects of the infuenza vaccination are generally limited to local discomfort such as redness, swelling and pain in the area of the injection site. In addition, mild headache and pain in the limbs may occur.

Other confirmed and questionable dermatological AEFI (adverse events following immunisation) are:

• Vasculitides
  • Polyarteritis nodosa, microscopic leukocytoclastic
  • leukocytoclastic vasculitis (seevasculitis below)
  • Schönlein-Henoch purpura
  • Vasculitis with cryoglobulinemia
  • Churg-Strauss syndrome
  • Giant cell arteritis
• Bullous autoimmune diseases
  • Bullous pemphigoid
  • Pemphigus vulgaris
• Other
  • Urticaria
  • Angioedema
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Generalized bullous drug eruption
  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  • Erythema nodosum
  • Panniculitis
  • Erythema exsudativum multiforme

1. Buck BE et al (1982) Measles virus panniculitis subsequent to vaccine administration. J Pediatr 101: 366-373
2. Hehn J et al (2003) Influenza vaccination and dermatosis coincidence or causal association. SDDG 2: 99-104
3. Pauwels C et al (2011) Cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis after H1N1 vaccination: a case report and review of the cutaneous side effects of influenza vaccines. Dermatology 222: 217-220