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The immunization of children with combined diphtheria and tetanus vaccine in Sweden
Insights
This study compared diphtheria-tetanus vaccines in infants. Both routine and purified diphtheria toxoids provided excellent protection against diphtheria with similar, moderate side effects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Diphtheria remains a public health concern, necessitating effective vaccination strategies in infants.
- Evaluating diphtheria-tetanus (DT) vaccine efficacy and safety is crucial for pediatric immunization programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the immunogenicity and safety of a routinely prepared diphtheria toxoid versus a more purified diphtheria toxoid in a combined DT vaccine.
- To assess long-term protection against diphtheria following infant vaccination.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 97 children aged three-four months, divided into two groups.
- Vaccination with two injections of DT vaccine at one-month intervals, followed by a third dose one year later.
- Measurement of diphtheria antitoxin titres before and after vaccination to assess protection levels.
Main Results:
- All children had protective diphtheria antitoxin titres before the third dose.
- Post-vaccination, 95% and 94% of children achieved titres >1 IU ml-1 with routine and purified toxoids, respectively, indicating protection for at least ten years.
- Systemic reactions (fever, malaise) occurred in five children; local reactions were generally mild to moderate.
Conclusions:
- Both routinely prepared and purified diphtheria toxoids in combined DT vaccines induce robust and comparable immunity against diphtheria in infants.
- The DT vaccine formulations demonstrated a favorable safety profile with manageable side effects.
- The findings support the continued use of DT vaccines for long-term diphtheria protection in children.
Abstract:
Two groups derived from 97 children three-four months of age were vaccinated with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines containing either a routinely prepared diphtheria toxoid or a more purified preparation. Two injections were given with an interval of one month and a third injection was given one year after the first. Prior to the third injection no child was without protection against diphtheria, i.e. had an antitoxin titre less than 0.01 IU ml-1. After the third injection 95 and 94% of the children vaccinated with the routinely and more purified diphtheria toxoids, respectively, had diphtheria antitoxin titres greater than 1 IU ml-1 (estimated to provide protection for at least ten years). Systemic reactions such as fever and malaise occurred in five children. Local reactions greater than 10 cm were observed in three children and reactions greater than 5 but less than or equal to 10 cm were seen in 14% of the children. The routinely prepared combined diphtheria and tetanus vaccine, DT, produced very good immunity against diphtheria with moderate side effects. The use of a more purified diphtheria toxoid in the combined vaccine produced the same immunity and side effects.