Minor adverse events in a comparative efficacy trial in Germany in infants receiving either the Lederle/Takeda acellular pertussis component DTP (DTaP) vaccine, the Lederle whole-cell component DTP (DTP) or DT vaccine. The Pertussis Vaccine Study Group.

Minor adverse events were evaluated in a comparative efficacy trial in Germany in infants who received either the Lederle/Takeda acellular pertussis component DTP (DTaP) vaccine, the Lederle whole-cell component DTP (DTP) or DT vaccine. Vaccinees received four doses (at three, four-and-a half, six and 15-18 months of age) of either DTP or DTaP vaccine or three doses (at three, four-and-a half and 15-18 months of age) of DT vaccine. The reactogenicity analysis included 4,273 DTaP, 4,259 DTP and 1739 DT vaccinees. Local reactions (erythema and induration) and systemic events (fever, fretfulness, drowsiness and anorexia) were more common after each dose of DTP vaccine than after the DTaP and DT vaccine doses. Erythema, induration and fever increased in frequency in DTaP and DT recipients with increasing series number. Erythema, induration and fever after the first two doses of vaccine were more frequent in DT recipients than DTaP vaccinees. Antipyretics were more commonly used in DTP recipients than in DTaP vaccinees.