Neonatal dose of DTaP — not likely

Article Outline

• Copyright

In this issue of The Journal, Halasa et al report their unexpected study finding that a neonatal dose of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) ultimately led to a blunted, rather than an enhanced, serologic response to pertussis antigens following subsequent routinely administered series of DTaP. Siegrist, in an accompanying editorial, reviews opposing results (ie, increased antibody response) of stand-alone aP vaccine trials and this trial in neonates. The delineation of possible explanations for disparate results provides a primer for immunology and vaccinology enthusiasts, as well as fascinating insight into the complex world of neonatal immune responses to competing stimuli.