Hot Topics: Adjuvants
Aluminum salts are the only adjuvants currently licensed for use in the United States. They include aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate and potassium aluminum sulfate (alum). Aluminum salts were found initially to enhance immune responses after immunization with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines in studies performed in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. The safety of aluminum has been established by experience over the past 70 years with hundreds of millions of people inoculated with aluminum-containing vaccines. Adverse reactions include redness or nodules at the site of injection.
Learn more about aluminum and vaccines »
Reviewed by: Paul A. Offit, MD
Date: March 2008
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.
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