The effect of maternal antibody on the serologic response and the incidence of adverse reactions after primary immunization with acellular and whole-cell pertussis vaccines combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids.

Abstract

The PT antibody response to DTaP, unlike DTP, is not adversely affected by preexisting antibody to PT. Inhibitory effects with respect to other antibodies, seen with both DTP and DTaP, were relatively modest. Our data suggest that the use of acellular pertussis vaccines in adults, which could confer higher levels of antibody in women before pregnancy, would be unlikely to adversely affect pertussis antibody responses after DTaP among infants born to mothers with high antibody levels.