PubMed1988
Eighty two infants, aged 2-12 months, were prospectively studied for infectious episodes following diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) immunization. The occurrence of infectious episodes during the month following vaccination was compared to that during the month prior to its administration. The 3 days following vaccination were not included. In comparison to the month prior to immunization, during the month following there were significantly more infants with fever (6.1% vs. 24.4%, p less than 0.001), with diarrhea (7.3% vs. 23.1%, p less than 0.005), and with cough (37.7% vs. 52.4% p N.S.). After the first month of the study, there was an increase in morbidity in the region, so we reevaluated those cases who had been seen during the latter 3 months. The same trend was found: in the month following immunization there were significantly more infants with fever (5.3% vs. 25%, p less than 0.005), with diarrhea (10.5% vs. 28%, p less than 0.02), and with cough (26% vs. 54%, p less than 0.01). There was no correlation between the incidence of these episodes and the age at vaccination. In addition to reactive fever during the first 3 days following DPT immunization, an increase in infectious episodes seems to occur in infants during the month following administration of this vaccine.