Abstract

FERNANDEZ, Rolando; OCHOA, Rolando  and  AGUERO, Beatriz. Tetanus and Diphtheria Immunity in at-risk labor force of Finlay Institute. Vaccimonitor [online]. 2004, vol.13, n.3, pp. 10-17. ISSN 1025-0298.

Finlay Institute is a leading center in vaccine production and research. This center has a highly qualified staff of technicians and researchers in charge of the development and production of the multiple DPT vaccine. All these people are at risk of acquiring anyone of these infectious diseases, while being in direct contact with the microorganisms needed for its production. It is quite important to have an efficient vaccine that minimizes the risks of exposure to infectious biological agents during research,which should be applied following an immunization schedule that guarantees adequate protection. Because of the lack of data in our country about the immunization status of exposed workers, and due to the importance of this information, we decided to carry out this project. For its development, a reinforced dose of a combined vaccine of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid, was applied to a group of exposed workers; the titers were determined before and after vaccination by immunoenzymatic methods. Most of these workers at the beginning of the study had an adequate level of tetanus antitoxin, however an inadequate protection for diphtheria was demonstrated before immunization. On the other hand, the application of a DT dose doesn't seem to be sufficient to induce a lasting antidiphteric response. We recommend a modification in the current vaccination schedule.

Keywords : Tetanus; Diphtheria; Biosafety.

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