Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a reduced-antigen-content diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine in healthy Taiwanese children and adolescents

Abstract

Purpose Disease caused by Bordetella pertussis is increasingly being identified among older children and adults in immunized populations, indicating a waning of the vaccine-induced immunity. These findings suggest the need for booster immunization of older children and adults. Modern acellular reduced-antigen-content vaccines have been developed, which can be given as a booster in individuals more than 4 years of age. This study was to assess the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of Boostrix™, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals’ reduced-antigen-content diphtheria-tetanus acellular pertussis (dTpa) vaccine, when administered as a booster in healthy subjects previously primed with DTP vaccine. Methods Healthy Taiwanese children and adolescents aged 6–8 years and 15–20 years, previously primed with DTP vaccine, were enrolled. All received one dose of Boostrix™. Two blood samples were taken from each of them, one before vaccination and one at 1 month after vaccination. Serum antibodies to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the pertussis components PT, FHA and PRN were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Adverse reactions following vaccination were recorded. Results A total of 180 subjects were recruited. The vaccine response rates to the pertussis antigens ranged between 89.0–100%. There were no serious adverse events reported during the study period. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that Boostrix™ may be safely and effectively administered as a booster dose to children previously primed with DTP vaccine.