The safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7VPnC) concurrently administered with a combination DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine.

To evaluate immune responses, safety and reactogenicity of the concomitant use of DTaP-IPV-Hib and the newly available 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate (7VPnC) vaccines when given as the primary immunization series in early infancy. A total of 231 healthy infants were enrolled at 11 German study centers and randomized to receive either 7VPnC plus DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccines concomitantly into opposite limbs at age 2, 3, 4 and 11-15 months (7VPnC group) or DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine at the same ages plus a 7VPnC "catch-up vaccination" at ages 6, 7, 8 and 11-15 months (Control group). Blood samples were drawn before and 4 weeks after the first three vaccine doses and 4 weeks after the fourth dose. Local a…