Prepared by pediatrician and infectious disease specialist Maria Stusik.
Vaccination is one of the most effective methods of preventing infectious diseases. For most healthy children and adults, a medical examination and assessment of overall health are sufficient before receiving a vaccine. Performing an immunogram routinely before every vaccination is not part of standard medical recommendations.
However, there are clinical situations in which a physician may recommend a comprehensive immunological evaluation before vaccination. The purpose of such testing is not to determine whether vaccination should be performed, but to assess the condition of the immune system, identify possible risk factors, and choose the safest and most effective vaccination strategy.
Why Is a Standard Medical Examination Sometimes Not Enough?
Each person's immune system functions differently. In most cases, a vaccine stimulates an adequate immune response without any complications. However, in certain diseases or immune disorders, the body may respond differently.
This is especially relevant for children with suspected primary or secondary immunodeficiency, autoimmune diseases, severe allergic reactions, chronic infections, or complex neuroimmune disorders. In such cases, it is important for the physician to assess not only the patient's clinical condition but also the functional capacity of the immune system.
That is why, in some situations, it is advisable to perform a comprehensive immunological assessment before vaccination.
When May an Immunogram Be Recommended?
A pediatrician or immunologist may recommend an immunogram or other immunological tests if the patient has:
- frequent or severe bacterial or viral infections;
- recurrent otitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, or pneumonia;
- suspected primary or secondary immunodeficiency;
- autoimmune diseases;
- severe allergic reactions;
- the need for vaccination while receiving immunosuppressive therapy;
- a history of severe infections that may have affected immune system function;
- complex neuroimmune disorders requiring an individualized vaccination approach.
In addition, a consultation with an immunologist may be helpful if unusual or prolonged reactions occurred after previous vaccinations. In such cases, it is important to determine the cause of these reactions and develop an appropriate immunization plan.
Should All Children Have an Immunogram Before Vaccination?
No. At present, there are no international guidelines recommending that all children undergo an immunogram before routine vaccination.
However, there is another important issue. Quite often, parents refuse vaccination not because of confirmed medical contraindications, but because of concerns about possible complications or uncertainty regarding their child's health. This is particularly common among children with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, allergic diseases, or recurrent infections.
In such situations, consultation with an immunologist or pediatrician at VIVERE Clinic allows for an individualized immunological evaluation that can help objectively assess the condition of the immune system. For many families, this provides evidence-based answers to their questions and supports informed vaccination decisions based on medical data rather than assumptions or information from unreliable sources.
What Tests May Be Required?
The list of tests is determined individually. Depending on the clinical situation, the physician may recommend:
- a basic immunogram;
- assessment of T-, B-, and NK-cell subsets;
- measurement of immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE);
- evaluation of the complement system;
- functional lymphocyte testing;
- cytokine profile analysis;
- testing for specific autoantibodies;
- other laboratory tests based on the patient's clinical condition.
It is important to understand that not every patient requires the full range of tests. The physician's primary goal is to order only those investigations that will answer a specific clinical question.
A Personalized Approach at VIVERE Clinic
At VIVERE Clinic, every vaccination case is assessed individually. We do not look for reasons to avoid vaccination, nor do we prescribe laboratory tests without appropriate clinical indications. Our goal is to evaluate the unique characteristics of the immune system when clinically necessary and help physicians and parents make informed, evidence-based decisions.
The clinic collaborates with Ukrainian and international laboratories, enabling both standard and highly specialized immunological testing. When needed, the diagnostic program may include assessment of cellular and humoral immunity, functional activity of immune cells, cytokine profiling, autoantibody testing, complement system evaluation, and other specialized immune parameters.
We believe that the best foundation for making vaccination decisions is not fear or assumptions, but modern evidence-based medicine, an individualized approach, and a comprehensive assessment of the patient's health.
