Symptoms after accelerated immunisation.
OBJECTIVE
To document the incidence of symptoms after accelerated immunisation with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine.


METHODS
Controlled study of children immunised with adsorbed diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine at accelerated and standard schedules.


METHODS
Colchester and north Hertfordshire.


METHODS
107 children scheduled to receive immunisation at 2, 3, and 4 months of age and 115 children scheduled to receive immunisation at 3, 4 1/2 to 5, and 8 1/2 to 11 months of age.


METHODS
Parentally recorded symptoms, axillary temperatures, and size of local redness and swelling at the injection site during the seven days after immunisation.


RESULTS
In general symptoms occurred less frequently with the accelerated schedule. Proportions of parents reporting axillary temperatures greater than 37.2 degrees C or local redness or swelling greater than 2.5 cm after the third dose of vaccine were significantly reduced in the accelerated schedule group.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunisation at 2, 3, and 4 months of age is likely to cause fewer reactions than immunisation at 3, 4 1/2 to 5, and 8 1/2 to 11 months of age.
Ramsay
M E
ME
Immunisation Division, PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London.
Rao
M
M
Begg
N T
NT
D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007117:Immunization, Secondary / Q000009:adverse effects; D007223:Infant; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology
D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine