Mixed Vaccines against Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus

Vaccination is the most cost-effective investment in public health. It not only could prevent transmissible diseases, save considerable medical costs, but also improve health and life quality of the general public. Mixed vaccines are single vaccine containing mixtures of antigens from multiple pathogens in an attempt to prevent multiple diseases by just having one injection. It eliminates the need for multiple injections and hence increases compliance and total coverage rates. Currently, DTP vaccine is one of the most commonly used mixed vaccines, containing diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and Bordetella pertussis. However, side effects including fever, and redness and swelling of the injection sites can occur in a certain percentage of infants. Hence, new generations of mixed vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis have emerged, including acellular DPT, 5 in 1, and 6 in 1 vaccines. These new mixed vaccines are as effective as traditional DTP vaccine, but with significantly fewer side effects. For concerns regarding schedule and mixed uses of mixed vaccines of different vendors, the Committee of Vaccination Consultation of Department of Health discussed the issues in the second meeting in 2007 and suggested that since there was no sufficient evidence concerning effectiveness of mixing mixed vaccines from different vendors, vaccines of the same vendors should be used consistently, unless the vendors is unknown or out of stock.