ACELLULAR PERTUSSIS VACCINES AND METHODS OF PREPARATION THEREOF

Vaccine for protecting humans against Bordetella pertussis infection comprises pertussis toxoid (I), filamentous haemagglutinin (II), pertactin (III) and agglutinogens (IV) of B. pertussis in relative amts. able to confer protection to >= 70% of an at-risk population. A single dose is 5-30 mu g (I) and (II), 3-15 mu g (III) and 1-10 mu g (IV), all expressed as nitrogen contents, esp. 10 mu g (I) and 5 mu g (II) or 20 mu g each of these, plus 5 mu g (III) and 3 mu g (IV). Vaccines are administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. (IV) comprises fimbrial agglutinogens (Agg) 2 and 3 (pref. at ratio 1.5-2:1) but is free of Agg 1. These may also include diphtheria toxoid, pref. at 15 Lfs, and tetanus toxoid, pref. at 5 Lf, opt. also other non-Bordetella antigens. They can also include an adjuvant, specifically alum.