Evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccination against diphtheria among medical staff of the chair and the Jagiellonian University Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Cracow, Poland. Some epidemiological observations.
In Poland, twenty-five cases of diphtheria, mostly among adults (including five foreigners) in the region adjacent to the eastern border were registered in the years 1992-1996. In 1993-1994, because of the threat of diphtheria infection, 41 healthy members of the medical staff of the University Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Kraków, mainly women aged 25-57 years were immunized with Td and d vaccines with a 6-month interval between courses. Prior to vaccination, 17(41%) individuals showed a lack of diphtheria antibodies as determined with a passive haemagglutination test. 14 of them were aged 30-49 years. Six months after the 2nd dose of vaccine, all seronegative persons had developed a protective level of antibodies. Moreover, all vaccinated subjects showed a statistically significant increase of the antibody titre between the first and last serological examinations.
Borysiewicz
J
J
Institute of Microbiology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Kraków.
Caban
J
J
Garlicki
A
A
Zakrzewska
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003141:Communicable Diseases; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination
D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid