Incidence and type of reactions to triple antigen (DTP) and DT (CDT) vaccines.

Local and general reactions were significantly more common in infants given DTP (triple antigen) vaccine than in those given DT (diphtheria and tetanus) vaccine. In 7712 DTP immunisations and 335 DT immunisations studied prospectively, local reaction rates were 47.8% and 33.7%, and general reaction rates were 38.4% and 10.1% respectively. The most commonly reported general reactions after both vaccines were irritability and fever. Persistent screaming was reported in 7.4% and 1.5% of vaccinees, and pallor or hyporesponsiveness in 1% and 0.3% respectively. Two infants developed convulsions and one suffered attacks of twitching after DTP immunisation. No persisting sequelae were detected.