[Oral immunization of newborn infants against pertussis].

A group of 148 newborn babies was subdivided into four groups. Subsequent to after oral application of killed pertussis bacteria (1-3 times; control) all developed agglutinating resp. precipitating antibodies. There was a clear relation between the given quantity of Oral Pertussis Vaccine and the antibody titer. The problem has been discussed, whether it will be possible to get a protection of newborn children against whooping cough within the first weeks of life and, simultaneously, to avoid side effects.