Case discussion of an immediate serious reaction to hexavalent vaccine mistaken for anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is rarely associated with vaccination. Clinical presentation may include a variety of non-specific symptoms, making a clinical diagnosis uncertain. Therefore, it is important to distinguish anaphylaxis from other adverse events following immunization (AEFIs), particularly in children, to manage subsequent immunizations where necessary. For administration of additional doses a specialist evaluation is recommended to confirm the diagnosis and consider if re-vaccination is appropriate. A post-event evaluation is based on an in-depth history and skin and in vitro testing to identify specific sensitizations. Applying a standardized AEFI case definition, such as the Brighton Collaboration, is also helpful for individual cases as well as pharmacovigilance activities