RELATIVE STABILITY OF PERTUSSIS VACCINE PRESERVED WITH MERTHIOLATE, BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE, OR THE PARABENS

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vaccine Development
• Pharmaceutical Science

Background:

• Pertussis vaccines are crucial for preventing whooping cough.
• Preservatives are necessary to maintain vaccine potency and safety during storage.
• Different preservatives may impact vaccine stability differently.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the stability of pertussis vaccine potency under various storage conditions and preservative treatments.
• To compare the efficacy of Merthiolate, benzethonium chloride, and parabens in preserving vaccine potency.
• To assess the impact of preservatives on the histamine-sensitizing factor.

Main Methods:

• Vaccines were stored at 4°C, or heated to 22°C or 35°C then stored at 4°C.
• Potency was assessed for vaccines preserved with Merthiolate, benzethonium chloride, parabens, or no preservative.
• Histamine-sensitizing factor levels were measured in relation to vaccine potency.

Main Results:

• Merthiolate significantly enhanced pertussis vaccine stability compared to benzethonium chloride and parabens.
• Unpreserved vaccines showed better stability than those with benzethonium chloride or parabens, but less than Merthiolate.
• Loss of vaccine potency correlated with a decrease in the histamine-sensitizing factor.

Conclusions:

• Merthiolate is a more effective preservative for maintaining pertussis vaccine stability than benzethonium chloride or parabens.
• The instability of pertussis vaccine in combined vaccines may be due to the preservative used, highlighting Merthiolate's stabilizing role.