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DT5aP-Hib-IPV and MCC vaccines: preterm infants' response to accelerated immunisation

M H Slack1, S Cade, D Schapira

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth PO3 6AD, UK. marts@doctors.org.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|March 23, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants showed strong immune responses to combined diphtheria/tetanus/acellular pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b-inactivated polio (DT5aP-Hib-IPV) and meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccines. These responses were superior to historical data for Hib and MCC vaccines.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Preterm infants often have altered immune responses compared to term infants.
  • Evaluating vaccine immunogenicity in preterm infants is crucial for establishing optimal immunization schedules.
  • Combined vaccines offer convenience but require careful assessment of immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the immune response in preterm infants receiving an accelerated schedule of DT5aP-Hib-IPV and MCC vaccines.
  • To compare these responses with those of term infants receiving the same vaccines.
  • To compare responses with historical data from preterm infants who received a different pertussis vaccine formulation.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective observational study involving preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation) and a comparison group of term infants.
  • Administration of DT5aP-Hib-IPV and MCC vaccines at 2, 3, and 4 months of age.
  • Measurement of antibody concentrations and titres against vaccine antigens, including Hib polysaccharide IgG, MCC serum bactericidal assay, diphtheria, tetanus, poliovirus, and pertussis antigens.

Main Results:

  • Fifty preterm infants completed the study.
  • High IgG geometric mean concentration (GMC) for Hib polysaccharide (1.21 microg/ml) and protective titres for MCC (GMT 1245).
  • All infants achieved protective titres for diphtheria, tetanus, and poliovirus types; over 80% showed protective IgG rises against five pertussis antigens.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm infants demonstrated robust immune responses to DT5aP-Hib-IPV and MCC vaccines, exceeding historical responses to Hib and MCC in both preterm and term infants.
  • Responses to pertussis antigens and poliovirus type 1 were comparable to term infants.
  • While responses to poliovirus types 2 and 3 were reduced, all preterm infants achieved protective titres.
Abstract

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