Owing to their low reactogenicity, confirmed efficacy and availability in combination vaccines, acellular pertussis (aP)-inactivated poliovirus (IPV) combined vaccines are now included in various national immunization programs worldwide. We provide an overview of 16 years of clinical experience with a diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), aP, IPV and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) polysaccharide conjugated to tetanus protein (PRP∼T) combined vaccine (DTaP-IPV//PRP∼T - Pentaxim, Sanofi Pasteur, France). Good immunogenicity has been demonstrated after primary vaccination with Pentaxim, regardless of the population ethnicity and primary vaccination schedule. A booster vaccination in the second year of life also resulted in a high immune response for each antigen. Furthermore, 10 years of national surveillance in Sweden has demonstrated the effectiveness of Pentaxim in controlling pertussis. As is the case for other aP-containing combined vaccines, Pentaxim is well tolerated, with the safety profile being better than for whole-cell pertussis-containing combination vaccines for primary and booster vaccinations.

The fully liquid pentavalent DTaP-IPV-PRP approximately T vaccine is highly immunogenic, with good antibody persistence for each antigen approximately one year after primary vaccination and strong booster responses at 18-19 months of age. Because this combined vaccine is fully liquid, requiring no reconstitution of lyophilized PRP approximately T, the ease of use and proper administration are improved.

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Both combination vaccines had similar high immunogenicity for each antigen, and both were well tolerated. Thus, inclusion of a Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in the combination did not result in clinically significant decrease in the PRP response or increase reactogenicity. The fully liquid pentavalent vaccine has the advantages of not requiring reconstitution and of administration as a single injection.

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