Evaluating the Immunogenicity of the Pertussis Component of the DPT Vaccine in 12- month old Infants in Kerman City, 2015

Background: Pertussis is a contagious infectious disease that is preventable by vaccine. This bacterial infection is caused by bordetella pertussis. Since pertussis vaccine coverage in Iran has not been studied recently and the type of vaccine used in our country is different with that in the developed countries, the effectiveness and side effects of this vaccine were studied. Methods: One hundred and eighty-one infants with 12 months of age visiting health centers affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences for vaccination of this age, were studied. Questionnaire was completed with the help of parents and using the information in the vaccination card. Serum immunoglobulin G titer was measured by ELISA method. Data analysis was done through SPSS20 and using frequency, relative frequency, mean± SD and Chi-square or Fisher tests. Results: One hundred and sixteen infants (64.1%) had adequate immunity, 22 infants (12.2%) had relative immunity and in 43 infants (23.8%) there was no immunity. Immunity difference was significant in terms of weight of infants at 12th month of age, but it was not significant in term of gestational age and sex. Only one case of seizure had been reported. Conclusion: The immunogenicity of the pertussis vaccine used in Iran is relatively high in 12-month old infants after receiving three doses of vaccine and the side effects of this vaccine are not significant