title: Pneumococcal revaccination of splenectomized children.
abstract: Forty-three Danish splenectomized children received a single subcutaneous dose of a 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax 23; Merck). Blood samples were taken before, 4 weeks after and 5 years after vaccination. Total pneumococcal antibody concentrations as well as antibodies against each of the 14 pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide antigens were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Depending on the pneumococcal antibody status 5 years after primary vaccination, the children were either revaccinated with a new 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine or scheduled for reexamination later. The antibody concentrations found 5 years after vaccination showed a strong correlation with the prevaccination antibody concentrations. Revaccination of children with low antibody concentrations 5 years after primary vaccination is safe, is without significant side effects and leads to a satisfactory antibody response.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Pneumococci, Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen S, Denmark.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Konradsen
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henrichsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines