[Mumps vaccines: vaccination failures from an immunological viewpoint].

The significance of mucosal and systemic immunity is illustrated with the example of the different immune response of Poliovaccine live oral (Sabin) and Poliovaccine inactivated parenteral (Salk). On the occasion of rubella- and measles-outbreaks it will be demonstrated that in vaccinated people subclinical reinfections may much more frequently occur than clinically manifest diseases. On the basis of these findings one may consider the large number of parotitis cases without complications in mumps vaccinated Swiss pupils as secondary mucosal vaccine failures at a time, when systemic immunity still was protective. Significance for vaccination policy and consequences for handling of vaccines shall be briefly discussed.