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Symptoms after accelerated immunisation
1Immunisation Division, PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London.
Insights
Accelerated diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine schedules in infants resulted in fewer symptoms. This accelerated immunisation approach showed reduced fever and local reactions compared to standard DTP schedules.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Vaccinology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- The standard diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine schedule involves immunisation at later infant ages.
- Concerns exist regarding potential adverse reactions following DTP vaccination.
- Optimizing infant immunisation schedules is crucial for both efficacy and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence of symptoms following an accelerated diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine schedule.
- To compare adverse reactions between accelerated and standard DTP immunisation protocols in infants.
Main Methods:
- A controlled study was conducted comparing an accelerated DTP immunisation schedule (2, 3, and 4 months) with a standard schedule (3, 4.5-5, and 8.5-11 months).
- Parentally recorded data on symptoms, axillary temperatures, and local injection site reactions (redness, swelling) were collected for seven days post-vaccination.
- The study involved 107 children on the accelerated schedule and 115 on the standard schedule.
Main Results:
- Symptoms occurred less frequently overall with the accelerated DTP immunisation schedule.
- Significantly lower proportions of parents reported axillary temperatures above 37.2°C in the accelerated group after the third vaccine dose.
- Reduced local reactions, including redness and swelling exceeding 2.5 cm, were observed in infants receiving the accelerated DTP schedule.
Conclusions:
- Infant immunisation with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine at 2, 3, and 4 months of age is associated with fewer adverse reactions.
- The accelerated DTP schedule appears to be a safer alternative regarding common post-vaccination symptoms.
- These findings support the implementation of earlier, accelerated DTP vaccination schedules.
Objective:
To document the incidence of symptoms after accelerated immunisation with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine.
Design:
Controlled study of children immunised with adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine at accelerated and standard schedules.
Setting:
Colchester and north Hertfordshire.
Subjects:
107 children scheduled to receive immunisation at 2, 3, and 4 months of age and 115 children scheduled to receive immunisation at 3, 4 1/2 to 5, and 8 1/2 to 11 months of age.
Main Outcome Measures:
Parentally recorded symptoms, axillary temperatures, and size of local redness and swelling at the injection site during the seven days after immunisation.
Results:
In general symptoms occurred less frequently with the accelerated schedule. Proportions of parents reporting axillary temperatures greater than 37.2 degrees C or local redness or swelling greater than 2.5 cm after the third dose of vaccine were significantly reduced in the accelerated schedule group.
Conclusion:
Immunisation at 2, 3, and 4 months of age is likely to cause fewer reactions than immunisation at 3, 4 1/2 to 5, and 8 1/2 to 11 months of age.