Experiences with Diphtheria Toxoid in Canada

Abstract

This incomplete list of the advantages which toxoid possesses may be supplemented by the statement that results obtained in the vaccination of a group of young adults revealed the fact that the immunizing qualities of this prophylactic were as readily demonstrable in human beings as in experimental animals.Upon the completion of this preliminary work, arrangements were made in a number of centers for more extended use of diphtheria toxoid prepared in the Connaught Laboratories. These further trials, notably in Hamilton, Windsor, and Brantford, Ontario, were eminently successful. Very quickly the use of toxoid spread to other parts of Canada and soon its employment upon a large scale was undertaken. This very satisfactory state of affairs has continued, and in the past 6 years sufficient toxoid for the vaccination of over 1,000,000 persons has been distributed in the Dominion.

The Pseudo-Schick Reaction and the Intradermol Toxoid Test of Moloney: their Relationship and Significance

“…(a) Positive reactions are not observed in babies; become increasingly common as age advances (Fitzgerald, Defries, Fraser, Moloney, McKinnon, 1932).…”

The diphtheria vaccine debacle of 1940 that ushered in comprehensive childhood immunization in the United Kingdom

“…As far as the rest of the English-speaking world was concerned the most influential person in actuating public health officials to immunize against diphtheria with toxoid was probably the Canadian, John Fitzgerald. In Toronto in 1914 he had founded what became the Connaught Laboratories to prepare diphtheria antitoxin [15] and, following a visit to Ramon in Paris in 1925, he instigated the manufacture of diphtheria toxoid at those laboratories [16, 17]. They soon became a not-for-profit source of diphtheria toxoid for all of Canada.…”

Waning rate of immunity and duration of protective immunity against diphtheria toxoid as a function of age and number of doses: Systematic review and quantitative data analysis

“…Diphtheria toxoid vaccine was introduced into high-income countries between 1930 and 1960 14 and into low- and middle-income countries after 1974, as part of the Expanded Program of Immunization. It has traditionally been combined with tetanus and pertussis antigens in various formulations of diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis vaccine (DTP) and is now often combined with other antigens, for example, Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib), hepatitis B, and inactivated polio vaccine.…”