Polyarthropathy, orbital myositis and posterior scleritis: an unusual adverse reaction to influenza vaccine

We report a patient who developed an acute symmetrical polyarthropathy,orbital myositis and posterior scleritis following inoculation with the1993 Fluvirin (inactivated influenza vaccine: surface antigen) vaccine. Webelieve that this represents a hypersensitivity reaction to the vaccine asextensive investigations revealed no underlying infective, inflammatory orsystemic cause. We review the current indications for vaccination againstthe influenza virus and the known adverse reactions to the vaccine.