Reactogenicity of acellular pertussis vaccine in 4-year-olds in The Netherlands

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Vaccinology
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Booster vaccinations are crucial for maintaining immunity against infectious diseases.
• Simultaneous administration of multiple vaccines is a common strategy in pediatric immunization schedules.
• Understanding the reactogenicity of combined vaccines ensures safety and adherence to vaccination protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reactogenicity of a three-component acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine when administered concurrently with the diphtheria, tetanus, and inactivated poliovirus (dT-IPV) vaccine.
• To assess the safety profile of this combined vaccination regimen in 4-year-old children.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 813 children aged 4 years received a booster dose of aP vaccine simultaneously with the dT-IPV vaccine.
• Reactogenicity was monitored, with specific attention to local reactions (pain, redness, swelling), systemic symptoms (irritability, appetite loss), and fever.
• Adverse events were recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

• 36% of subjects experienced no adverse events following vaccination.
• Local reactions were reported, with pain being the most common (47-55% for aP vs. dT-IPV).
• Systemic symptoms like irritability and loss of appetite occurred in 20% of children, and 3% developed a fever. Most symptoms resolved within 3 days.

Conclusions:

• Simultaneous administration of the acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine and the dT-IPV vaccine in a 4-year-old booster dose is well-tolerated.
• The observed adverse events were generally mild and transient, supporting the safety of this combined vaccination approach.
• This combination vaccine regimen is a viable option for pediatric immunization, contributing to sustained protection against pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio.