Safety and immunogenicity of subcutaneous H. influenzae vaccines in 15-17 month-old children.

To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of subcutaneously administered PRP and PRP-D, one hundred and one healthy 15 to 17 month-old children were randomly assigned to receive two subcutaneous doses, 2 months apart, of either vaccine. The incidence of local and systemic reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups. PRP antibody levels in the pre-immunization sera of 95% of subjects were below the level associated with immediate protection from Hib disease (less than 0.15 microgram/ml). After the first dose, 32% of PRP and 70% of PRP-D (p less than 0.001) recipients achieved antibody levels of greater than or equal to 0.15 microgram/ml, and 8% and 26% (p = 0.003) respectively achieved levels greater than or equal to 1 microgram/ml, a level believed to predict long-term protection. After the second dose, antibody levels greater than or equal to 0.15 microgram/ml were reached in 38% of PRP and 88% of PRP-D (p less than 0.001) recipients and levels of greater than or equal to 1 microgram/ml were reached in 22% and 78% respectively (p less than 0.001). The geometric mean levels of PRP antibody after immunization were significantly higher in the PRP-D group after both the first and second doses (p less than 0.001). These results suggest that subcutaneous administration of both vaccines is safe, but PRP-D results in significantly higher antibody levels compared to PRP. The levels were lower than what has been reported following intramuscular administration.

Safety and immunogenicity of subcutaneous H. influenzae vaccines in 15-17 month-old children. Journal Articles