Immunogenicity and safety of primary and secondary DTaP booster vaccination

ABSTRACT

Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccination must currently be administered three times starting at 2 months of age, at intervals of two months, with the first and second boosters administered at 15 to 8 months and 4 to 6 years of age. A high rate of vaccination is maintained, but studies of the efficiency and safety of booster vaccination are lacking. This study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of the DTaP booster vaccine. Seventy-two infants who had been vaccinated with the first booster and 78 children who had been vaccinated with the second booster were enrolled in this study. Local and systemic adverse reactions after vaccination were recorded. Sera obtained before and 1 month after booster vaccination were analyzed for antibodies to diphtheria and tetanus toxoid, and anti-pertussis toxin. Diphtheria The GMT was increased. Tetanus The geometric mean antibody titer (GMT) was increased. Pertussis The GMT was increased by 13.72 times and 14.37 times after the first and the second additional vaccination, respectively. Although the seroconversion rate was low prior to the first booster, the average amount of anti-pertussis toxin antibodies before the first additional vaccination was 143.37 EU/mL, which rose to 261.88 EU/mL after the vaccination. The seroconversion rate also increased to 100%. Adverse reactions showed spontaneous resolution within a few days after vaccination. After the second additional vaccination, there was a statistically significant increase in the manifestation of myalgia compared to after the first additional vaccination. In conclusion, DTaP booster vaccination was effective in Korean children, demonstrating that modifications to the current regimen would be unnecessary.