Pertussis immunization of infants using a new combined DTP-polio vaccine.

As part of the evaluation of a new combined Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis-Poliomyelitis (DTP-Polio) inactivated vaccine, the pertussis agglutinin response was studied in 62 infants, two to three months old. Each dose of vaccine combined these antigens in a 0.5 ml volume, and contained at least four International Protective Units of pertussis antigen adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide. Infants were vaccinated with three doses of DTP-Polio vaccine at two month intervals. Pertussis agglutinin determinations showed a satisfactory response after two DTP-Polio vaccine doses. Although higher agglutinin titres were apparent after three doses than after two, no significant difference was observed in the seroconversion rate after two or three doses (88.8% and 96.3% respectively). The DTP-Polio vaccine would thus seem suitable for use in a two-dose primary immunization schedule against pertussis.