Effects of Routine Immunization of Children with Triple Vaccine (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis)

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Abstract
Long term effects following the assumed general use of triple vaccine were evaluated with respect to incidence of disease and serological status of segments of the population. Diphtheria incidence has fallen steadily during the last 3 decades with a decided shift from childhood to older adults. Tetanus incidence is uniformly low, but data suggest a reduction in incidence among the age groups immunized. Pertussis infection has decreased from about 1000 cases per 100,000 a decade ago to about 100 today in children under 10. In children 10-14 incidence still stands at slightly below 100 per 100,000. Serological data show protective titers against diphtheria in a large proportion of persons under 20 but that over 55% of adults have less than a protective titer. The immune picture (which is identical for males and females) points up the potential danger of epidemic diphtheria where the adult population lacks protection. Tetanus antitoxin determinations show high protective levels among children and young male adults (supposedly Armed Forces immunization) while all other groups are uniformly non-immune.

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