Immunogenicity and Safety of an Acellular DPT Vaccine During Pregnancy

Type of Study: Clinical, randomized, double-blind, parallel control study. Study Subjects: Pregnant women of 19-38years of age, gestational age of 12-24 weeks, low risk of obstetric complications (according to the Obstetric Risk Assessment Form), normal anatomic ultrasound performed in the second quarter of pregnancy and residence in Guadalupe, and Juarez cities in Nuevo Leon State.

The experimental group will receive acellular Tdap vaccine and the control group will receive a placebo consisting of saline (0.9% Sodium Chloride) solution, randomly assigned, which will be administered by the same route (intramuscular) and at the same dose (0.5 ml) that the vaccine by trained personnel.

For both groups, 6 blood samples will be taken. Women: Before and at least 4 weeks after the vaccine or placebo were administered, at hospital admission for delivery. Infant: collected at delivery (cord), 2, 4 and 6 months of age.

Immunogenicity will be compared in both groups by measuring the increase of three of the following antigen-specific antibodies: Pertussis toxin (PT), pertactin (PRN),and fimbriae 2 FIM 2).

Safety Assessment: Each pregnant will be observed at 30 minutes, 24 and 48 hours and one month after the application of the vaccine for side effects.

Inclusion criteria

• 18 to 38 years
• Pregnancy between 22 and 32 weeks of gestation
• Covered by Ministry of Health medical security
• Definitive residency in Guadalupe and Benito Juarez cities
• Pregnancy termination in the study's hospital.
• At low risk for complication as determined by the obstetrical risk assessment form (ORAF)
• Second trimester or later ultrasound with no significant abnormalities
• Intend to be available for follow up visits and phone calls access through 6 months following delivery
• Willing to give written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Serious mental illness. (Schizophrenia, psychosis, major depression).
• Serious underlying medical condition (e.g Degenerative diseases: Diabetes Mellitus,Hypertension and so on.
• Current smoking or use of drugs.
• Receipt of tetanus-diphtheria toxoid immunization within the past 2 years.
• Be considered as a high risk pregnancy for serious obstetrical complication according to the local Obstetrical Risk Assessment Form.