0000000000338418
AUTHOR
Marta Ciofi Degli Atti
Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity at Preschool Age of a Booster Dose of Two Three-Component Diphtheria-Tetanus-Acellular Pertussis Vaccines in Children Primed in Infancy With Acellular Vaccines
Objectives.To determine the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of a fourth dose of 2 three-component acellular pertussis vaccines combined with diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) when administered at preschool age to children primed in infancy with 3 doses of the same DTaP and who had received a diphtheria-tetanus (DT) dose at the age of 12 months.Setting.Local health units of 4 Italian regions.Study Design.Three thousand five hundred twenty-two children, who had been randomized in the first year of life to be immunized with a DTaP vaccine by either SmithKline Beecham or Chiron Biocine, were offered a booster of the same vaccine or, if refusing, a DT vaccine at the age of 5 to 6 y…
How increased pertussis vaccination coverage is changing the epidemiology of pertussis in Italy.
Abstract The epidemiology of pertussis in Italy is described by using data from the statutory notification system and from seroepidemiology studies. Starting from the 1990s, the incidence of pertussis in Italy has shown a sharp decline and is now at the lowest level ever reached. During this time period vaccination coverage has increased from 88% in 1998 to 95% in 2003. In 1996–97, the prevalence of subjects with levels of IgG antibodies against PT greater than 2 EU/ml was 77.6%. The increase in vaccination coverage will probably change the pattern of disease transmission and increase the number of susceptible adults, unless administration of booster doses to adolescents and adults is consi…
Reactogenicity of a three-dose pertussis acellular vaccine catch-up in children 21-40 months of age
Abstract The reactogenicity of a three-dose catch-up acellular pertussis (aP) immunization of children at 21–40 months of age was evaluated. Vaccination was well-tolerated: fever ≥38°C was reported after 5% of administered doses and local reactions after 14–15%. The onset of adverse events was not associated with age at vaccination, interval between doses or previous presence of antibodies against pertussis, whereas injection in sites other than the buttock and presence of the same symptom after a previous dose were associated with higher reactogenicity. Because of the good safety profile of primary aP immunization in children >1 year of age, catch-up vaccination campaigns could be consider…