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A single dose vaccine to prevent neonatal tetanus
F D Dastur1, V P Awatramani, S K Chitre
1KEM Hospital, Bombay.
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
|February 1, 1993
Summary
A new single-dose tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine effectively immunizes pregnant women, providing protective antibody levels at birth and for months after. This simplifies maternal immunization and protects newborns from tetanus.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- Neonatal tetanus poses a significant threat, causing 200,000 infant deaths annually in India.
- Current tetanus immunization strategies in pregnancy face logistical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a potent, single-dose tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine for simplifying immunization during pregnancy.
- To assess the immunogenicity and safety of a 250 Lf TT vaccine in unimmunized pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- A single dose of 250 Lf TT vaccine was administered to 200 unimmunized primigravidae in their last trimester.
- Tetanus antitoxin levels were measured at delivery, in cord blood, and at follow-up using the mouse neutralization method.
Main Results:
- All mothers achieved protective tetanus antitoxin titres (> or = 0.01 IU/ml) by delivery.
- Infants born to vaccinated mothers had protective antitoxin levels in cord blood.
- Protective antibody levels persisted in infants for at least 6 months without infant immunization.
- No adverse effects were observed in mothers, and no increase in stillbirths was noted.
Conclusions:
- The 250 Lf TT vaccine is a potent and safe single-dose option for maternal immunization.
- This vaccine simplifies logistics and offers sustained protection against neonatal tetanus.
- The vaccine is suitable for mass immunization programs to reduce infant mortality from tetanus.