Vaccination and allergic disease: A birth cohort study

Objectives. We examined the effect of vaccination for diphtheria; polio; pertussis and tetanus; or measles, mumps, and rubella on the incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma and eczema. Methods. We used a previously established birth cohort in the West Midlands General Practice research database. Results. We found an association between vaccination and the development of allergic disease; however, this association was present only among children with the fewest physician visits and can be explained by this factor. Conclusions. Our data suggest that currently recommended routine vaccinations are not a risk factor for asthma or eczema.