Childhood vaccines not linked to type 1 diabetes

There is no association between an increased risk of type 1 diabetes and childhood vaccines, according to a new study.
There has been some suggestion childhood vaccines may be associated with the development of type 1 diabetes. Past research has shown this association is false and a new study adds to that determination. The new research, conducted in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also looked at whether the timing of the vaccines could play a role in the risk for diabetes.

Researchers used the Vaccine Safety Datalink to follow children who received recommended childhood vaccines. They found more than 250 confirmed cases of diabetes and more than 760 children who did not develop diabetes. The vaccines studied included newer ones such as hepatitis B, acellular pertussis and varicella vaccines. Researchers then figured out the odds ratio for the association of developing diabetes with the vaccines. They also evaluated the age the vaccines were given to the children.

Researchers did not find an increased risk of type 1 diabetes associated with any of the routinely recommended childhood vaccines. They say their study adds to previous research as it included data on newer vaccines. Researchers also say timing of the vaccines is not related to the risk of diabetes. They found the risk of type 1 diabetes was not different between infants vaccinated at birth and those who received their first vaccinations later in life.

SOURCE: Pediatrics, 2001;108:e112