Simultaneous administration of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-polio and hepatitis B vaccines in a simplified immunization program: immune response to diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, pertussis, and hepatitis B surface antigen.

We studied the interactions of hepatitis B vaccine with other vaccines used in the World Health Organization expanded programs of immunization. Three groups of Senegalese children were vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine (HB) alone, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP)-polio vaccine alone, or a combination of hepatitis B vaccine and DTP-polio vaccines simultaneously. The immune responses to HBsAg, tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, and pertussis were measured after one and two vaccinations at 6-month intervals. The immune responses to the combination of HB vaccine and DTP-polio vaccines were similar to the immune responses observed after administration of each vaccine alone. In addition, no adverse reactions were noted. These experimental trials also demonstrated that with a DTP-polio vaccine containing 30Lf of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, two doses given at 6-month intervals are sufficient to provide a satisfactory immune response. In the case of pertussis and HB vaccines; however, a third dose is necessary.