Author in the Room: Combined Tetanus, Diphtheria, and 5-Component Pertussis Vaccine for Use in Adolescents and Adults

Summary: This week: Increasing reports of pertussis among US adolescents and adults have stimulated vaccine development for older age groups. This study assessed the efficacy of a combined tetanus-diphtheria 5-component pertussis vaccine in adolescents and adults. The vaccine elicited robust immune responses to pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria antigens, while exhibiting an overall safety profile similar to that of a licensed tetanus vaccine.