Epidemiology Vaccine Research
Vaccines are tested thoroughly in clinical trials before licensure and use. However, when populations of many millions are vaccinated, continued research into effects of vaccination is essential for public health. Furthermore, as immunization programs around the world are continually being expanded and changed new research questions correspondingly arise.
A comprehensive research programme
Statens Serum Institut houses a research program on the effects of vaccination in population use. We study how well vaccines protect the Danish population as intended and examine hypothesised links between vaccines and rare but serious conditions such as autism, asthma and type 1 diabetes.
The research is based on the unique Danish nationwide registers including a vaccination database – established in the Department of Epidemiology Research – comprising all vaccinations administered to Danish children since 1990.
What are the consequences when an entire population is vaccinated? Cititzens of Copenhagen lined up outside SSI for vaccination in 1943.
A new initiative – vaccines and genetics
At the Department of Epidemiology Research we are currently expanded this research program. One of the new major research areas will be the interplay between vaccination and genetics. We are going to study how genetic variation contributes to how different individuals respond to vaccination. This will allow for a personalised approach to vaccination where individuals who are genetically predisposed to reduced immunogenicity or increased risk of adverse events following vaccination may be identified.
International collaboration
The Department is a member of the research consortium VAESCO. VAESCO is supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and comprises European research sites collaborating on vaccine safety issues.
Epidemiologic vaccine research at SSI
Statens Serum Institute houses a wide range of experts in vaccinology and infectious disease, and much of the vaccine related epidemiologic research is conducted in collaboration across the Institute. Other areas of epidemiologic vaccine research include research on vaccine effects in Guinea-Bissau and Greenland.
Last revised 13 December 2011