IMMUNE-RESPONSE TO A COMBINED HEPATITIS-B, DIPHTHERIA, TETANUS AND WHOLE-CELL PERTUSSIS-VACCINE ADMINISTERED TO INFANTS AT 2-MONTHS, 4-MONTHS AND 6-MONTHS OF AGE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the immune response and re actogenicity of a combined hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and whole- cell Bordetella pertussis (DTPw-HBV) vaccine administered to healthy i nfants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A total of 179 infants (6-12 weeks of age) received three doses of DTPw-HBV vaccine. Blood samples for a ntibody determinations were taken before vaccination, 2 months after t he second dose and I month after the third dose. Solicited and unsolic ited symptoms were recorded by parents in a diary card. All vaccinees had protective levels of anti-HBs [geometric mean titre (GMT). 1526 mI U ml(-1)], anti-diphtheria and antitetanus antibodies, I month after t he third dose. Ninety-two percent of the subjects exhibited a response to the B. pertussis component. Most (99.4%) solicited reactions occur red within the first 48 h and the majority were mild or moderate. The safety, immunogenicity of this tetravalent vaccine was demonstrated wh en it was administered in infants following the 0, 2, 4-month dosing s chedule. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.