Inactivated poliovirus vaccine alone or sequential inactivated and oral poliovirus vaccine in two-, four- and six-month-old infants with combination Haemophilus influenzae type b/hepatitis B vaccine.

BACKGROUND

Advisory committees have recommended the increased use of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) for children.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and immunogenicity of three schedules using IPV administered with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and whole cell pertussis vaccines in a dual-chambered syringe. Children also received a combination of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B vaccines (COMVAX).

METHODS

All infants (n = 295) received IPV and COMVAX at 2 and 4 months of age and IPV, oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) or both vaccines at 6 months and OPV at 15 months of age.

RESULTS

After two doses of IPV 96 to 100% of infants had antibodies to poliomyelitis viruses types 1, 2 and 3, and after a third dose of vaccine (IPV or OPV) all but one child had antibodies to all three poliovirus types. After two doses of COMVAX 89 and 96% of children had protective levels of antibody to Hib and hepatitis B, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

IPV is highly immunogenic in a two-dose schedule. Administration of a third dose of IPV or a dose of OPV at 6 months of age is highly effective. Simultaneous administration of a combination H. influenzae type b/hepatitis B vaccine did not interfere with the response to IPV.