Use and safety of acellular pertussis vaccine among adult hospital staff during an outbreak of pertussis.
During May and June 1993, 10 patients and 5 members of the clinical staff at a hospital in California were diagnosed with Bordetella pertussis infection. In addition to erythromycin prophylaxis, 630 (48%) of 1330 staff members received a half dose of acellular pertussis vaccine with tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (DTaP). To identify side effects of the vaccine, a questionnaire was completed by 344 (54%) of 630 vaccinated staff. Side effects were reported by 117 respondents (34%); 64 were classified as mild (local reaction at injection site) and 50 as moderate (systemic complaints or local reaction resulting in limitation of arm movement). Three vaccinees (< 1%) reported missing 1 or more days of work because of their symptoms. Local reactions at the injection site occurred in 100 (29%), systemic symptoms in 38 (11%), and limitation of arm movement in 18 (5%). This study indicates that use of half dose of DTaP in adults appears safe and should be considered as an adjunct to chemoprophylaxis during institutional outbreaks.
Shefer
A
A
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Dales
L
L
Nelson
M
M
Werner
B
B
Baron
R
R
Jackson
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002140:California; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D004917:Erythromycin