[Split tetanus vaccine. Studies on its efficacy and tolerance as compared to adsorbed vaccine]

A tetanus split vaccine consisting of the purified C fragment of tetanus toxin was compared with normal adsorbed toxoid vaccine with respect to local reactions and immunogenicity. Altogether, 200 volunteers with primary vaccination against tetanus were vaccinated. Local reactions were studied in 170 persons, the immune response in 87. Immunogenicity, expressed as mean conversion factor, was identical for both groups. Local reactions, including frequency, duration and intensity of symptoms, were reduced by 60% in the subjects given split vaccine. In both groups a positive correlation between preimmunization antibody titer and the mean extent of the local reaction was observed.