Pertussis vaccine: reactivity in animal and man

Clinical investigation of the reactivity of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccines is a routine control in the GDR. This paper shows the results of the clinical control of 26 batches of DTP vaccine in comparison with animal tests (weight-gain-test, histamine-sensitizing test, dermonecrotic test). The animal tests gave no support to innocuity. The batches were tested on 427 children and passed the requirements for reactivity. After a storage for 2 years the control of 3 different batches was repeated. Two of them showed side reactions in children in spite of the fact that the results of the weight-gain test did not change.