Reduced-Antigen, Combined Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (Boostrix???)

Abstract

Reduced-antigen, combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertactin-containing pertussis vaccine (dTpa; Boostrix) contains reduced quantities of the same toxoids/antigens found in a diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTPa; Infanrix) used for the primary immunization series in children. A single dose of dTpa (Boostrix) is indicated for booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in individuals aged >or=4 years in Europe and Canada, in individuals aged >or=10 years in Australia, and in adolescents aged 10-18 years in the US.A single booster dose of dTpa (Boostrix) was safe and highly immunogenic for all its component toxoids/antigens when administered to adults, adolescents (including those previously unvaccinated), and children aged >or=4 years in clinical trials conducted in various countries worldwide. It was also well tolerated, as was a second (repeat) dose administered to a small number of adolescents who had previously received the vaccine as a preschool booster. Vaccinees generally reported a low incidence of severe/grade 3, solicited, local and general adverse events during the 1-month postvaccination period.Current recommendations for dTpa usage vary from country to country; they include one dose only in adolescence or adulthood (e.g. Australia, Canada, France, Switzerland, and the US), one dose at preschool age and one in adolescence (Germany), and one dose in adolescence followed by regular (10-year) doses during adulthood (Austria). Available data support the use of dTpa (Boostrix) in place of the combined diphtheria, tetanus, whole-cell pertussis vaccine (DTwP) or DTPa booster dose in preschool children and/or the reduced-antigen, combined diphtheria, tetanus vaccine (Td) booster dose in adolescents, as well as in place of a regular Td booster dose in adults who have not previously received the vaccine.