Safety and Immunogenicity of Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Booster in Taiwanese Toddlers

Background/Purpose

Pneumococcal infection causes high morbidity and mortality in children. Prevention of pneumococcal diseases by effective vaccination is an urgent need. This study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate (7VPnC) vaccine (serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F) booster dose administered at 15-20 months of age in Taiwanese toddlers.

Methods

Fifty-eight healthy Taiwanese toddlers who were primed with three doses of the 7VPnC vaccine in infancy received a booster dose in an open-label, noncomparative trial. Routine oral polio vaccine and diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and pertussis vaccine were administered concomitantly. Surveillance for safety was conducted after vaccination. Antibody concentration to each of the seven pneumococcal serotypes was measured before and 1 month after the booster dose.

Results

Mild to moderate local reactions were common (45-50%). Fever, fussiness, restlessness, and loss of appetite were the most frequent systemic reactions (31-50%). Before the booster dose of vaccine, 68% (for serotype 18C) to 100% (for serotype 14) of subjects had antibody concentrations ≥0.2μg/mL to different pneumococcal serotypes. After the booster dose, the geometric mean concentration of IgG increased significantly (p< 0.001) for all seven serotypes indicating the induction of immunologic memories. Ninety-eight percent of the toddlers had antibody concentration ≥ 0.2 μg/mL against all serotypes after the booster.

Conclusion

The 7VPnC vaccine containing the prevalent serotypes in Taiwan is safe and effective in boosting immunity against pneumococcal disease in Taiwanese children.

Key Words:  conjugate vaccines , immunology , serotyping , Streptococcus pneumoniae

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