Gelatin Allergy as Cause for Repeated Severe Anaphylaxis after Administration of a Rabies Vaccine

Since the pioneering work of Jenner, Koch and Pasteur, vaccines have represented the most effective method of preventing the spread of many infectious diseases. Unfortunately, vaccines can cause side effects or adverse events. In the majority of these cases the reactions are limited to the site of the injection; they usually result from a non-specific activation of the immune system and do not need further investigation. If however an allergy is suspected there is a need for further diagnostic exams. In theory every component of a vaccine can cause an adverse event or an allergic reaction; in general the reactions are due to the additional elements in the vaccine, such as egg protein, antibiotics, phenol red, polysorbate or polygelin. Reactions caused by the active or non-active viral or bacterial particles are rare. We are reporting the case of a 21-year old soldier, who suffered from repeated allergic reactions after the administration of a rabies vaccine that contained polygelin.