SIDE EFFECTS
The safety of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine was evaluated in 4 clinical studies. A total of
5,841 individuals 11-64 years of age inclusive (3,393 adolescents 11-17 years
of age and 2,448 adults 18-64 years) received a single dose of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine.
The principal safety study was a randomized, observer-blind, active controlled
trial that enrolled participants 11-17 years of age (Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine N = 1,184;
Td vaccine N = 792) and 18-64 years of age (Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine N = 1,752; Td vaccine
N = 573). Study participants had not received tetanus or diphtheria containing
vaccines within the previous 5 years. Solicited local and systemic reactions
and unsolicited adverse events were monitored daily for 14 days post-vaccination
using a diary card. From days 14-28 post-vaccination, information on adverse
events necessitating a medical contact, such as a telephone call, visit to an
emergency room, physician's office or hospitalization, was obtained via telephone
interview or at an interim clinic visit. From days 28 to 6 months post-vaccination,
participants were monitored for unexpected visits to a physician's office or
to an emergency room, onset of serious illness and hospitalizations. Information
regarding adverse events that occurred in the 6 month post-vaccination time
period was obtained from the participant via telephone. Approximately 96% of
participants completed the 6-month follow-up evaluation.
In the concomitant vaccination study with Adacel and Hepatitis B vaccines (see
Clinical Studies for description of study
design and number of participants), local and systemic adverse events were monitored
daily for 14 days post-vaccination using a diary card. Local adverse events
were only monitored at site/arm of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine administration. Unsolicited
reactions (including immediate reactions, serious adverse events and events
that elicited seeking medical attention) were collected at a clinic visit or
via telephone interview for the duration of the trial, i.e., up to six months
post-vaccination.
In the concomitant vaccination study with Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine and trivalent inactivated
influenza vaccine (see Clinical Studies for
description of study design and number of participants), local and systemic
adverse events were monitored for 14 days post-vaccination using a diary card.
All unsolicited reactions occurring through day 14 were collected. From day
14 to the end of the trial, i.e., up to 84 days, only events that elicited seeking
medical attention were collected.
In all the studies, participants were monitored for serious adverse events
throughout the duration ofthe study.
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse
reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a vaccine cannot be directly
compared to rates in the clinical trials of another vaccine and may not reflect
the rates observed in practice. The adverse reaction information from clinical
trials does, however, provide a basis for identifying the adverse events that
appear to be related to vaccine use and for approximating rates of those events.
Serious Adverse Events in All Safety Studies
Throughout the 6-month follow-up period in the principal safety study, serious
adverse events were reported in 1.5% of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine recipients and 1.4% in
Td vaccine recipients. Two serious adverse events in adults were neuropathic
events that occurred within 28 days of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine administration; one severe
migraine with unilateral facial paralysis and one diagnosis of nerve compression
in neck and left arm. Similar or lower rates of serious adverse events were
reported in the other trials and there were no additional neuropathic events
reported.
Solicited Adverse Events in the Principal Safety Study
The frequency of selected solicited adverse events (erythema, swelling, pain
and fever) occurring during Days 0-14 following one dose of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine or
Td vaccine are presented in Table 5. Most of these events were reported at a
similar frequency in recipients of both Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine and Td vaccine. Few participants
( < 1%) sought medical attention for these reactions. Pain at the injection
site was the most common adverse reaction occurring in 63 to 78% of all vaccinees.
In addition, overall rates of pain were higher in adolescent recipients of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed)
vaccine compared to Td vaccine recipients. Rates of moderate and severe pain
in adolescents did not significantly differ between the Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine and Td
vaccine groups. Among adults the rates of pain, after receipt of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine
or Td vaccine, did not significantly differ. Fever of 38°C and higher was
uncommon, although in the adolescent age group, it occurred significantly more
frequently in Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine recipients than Td vaccine recipients. (9)
Table 5: Frequencies of Solicited Injection Site Reactions
and Fever for Adolescents and Adults, Days 0-14, Following a Single Dose of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed)
Vaccine or Td Vaccine
Adverse Event* |
Adolescents 11-17 years |
Adults 18-64years |
Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed)
N † = 1,170-1,175
(%) |
Td‡
N †= 783-787
(%) |
Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed)
N † =1,688-1,698
(%) |
Td‡
N † = 551-561
(%) |
Injectiton
Site
Pain |
Any |
77.8§ |
71.0 |
65.7 |
62.9 |
Moderate** |
18.0 |
15.6 |
15.1 |
10.2 |
Severe † † |
1.5 |
0.6 |
1.1 |
0.9 |
Any |
20.9 |
18.3 |
21.0 |
17.3 |
Injection
Site
Swelling |
Moderate** |
|
1.0 to 3.4 cm |
6.5 |
5.7 |
7.6 |
5.4 |
Severe † † |
|
≥ 3.5 cm |
6.4 |
5.5 |
5.8 |
5.5 |
≥ 5 cm (2 inches) |
2.8 |
3.6 |
3.2 |
2.7 |
Injection
Site
Erythema |
Any |
20.8 |
19.7 |
24.7 |
21.6 |
Moderate** |
|
1.0 to 3.4 cm |
5.9 |
4.6 |
8.0 |
8.4 |
Severe † † |
|
≥ 3.5 cm |
6.0 |
5.3 |
6.2 |
4.8 |
≥ 5 cm (2 inches) |
2.7 |
2.9 |
4.0 |
3.0 |
Fever |
≥ 38.0°C
( ≥ 100.4°F) |
5.0§ |
2.7 |
1.4 |
1.1 |
≥ 38.8°C to =39.4°C
( ≥ 102.0°F to =103.0°F) |
0.9 |
0.6 |
0.4 |
0.2 |
≥ 39.5°C
( ≥ 103.1°F) |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0.2 |
*Sample size was designed to detect >
10% differences between Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) and Td vaccines for events of 'Any' intensity.
† N = number of participants with available data.
‡Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids Adsorbed For Adult Use
manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Inc., Swiftwater, PA.
§Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine did not meet the non-inferiority criterion
for rates of 'Any' Pain in adolescents compared to Td vaccine rates (upper
limit of the 95% CI on the difference for Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine minus Td vaccine
was 10.7% whereas the criterion was < 10%). For 'Any' Fever the non-inferiority
criteria was met, however, 'Any' Fever was statistically higher in adolescents
receiving Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine.
**Interfered with activities, but did not necessitate medical care or
absenteeism.
† † Incapacitating, prevented the
performance of usual activities, may have/or did necessitate medical care
or absenteeism. |
The frequency of other solicited adverse events (Days 0-14) are presented in
Table 6. The rates of these events following Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine were comparable
with those observed with Td vaccine. Headache was the most frequent systemic
reaction and was usually of mild to moderate intensity.
Table 6: Frequencies of Other Solicited Adverse Events for
Adolescents and Adults, Days 0-14, Following a Single Dose of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) Vaccine
or Td Vaccine
Adverse Event |
Adolescents 11-17 years |
Adults 18-64 years |
Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed)
N* =1,174-1,175
(%) |
Td † N* = 787
(%) |
Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed)
N* =1,697-1,698
(%) |
Td †
N* = 560-561
(%) |
Headache |
Any |
43.7 |
40.4 |
33.9 |
34.1 |
Moderate‡ |
14.2 |
11.1 |
11.4 |
10.5 |
Severe§ |
2.0 |
1.5 |
2.8 |
2.1 |
Body Ache or Muscle Weakness |
Any |
30.4 |
29.9 |
21.9 |
18.8 |
Moderate‡ |
8.5 |
6.9 |
6.1 |
5.7 |
Severe§ |
1.3 |
0.9 |
1.2 |
0.9 |
Tiredness |
Any |
30.2 |
27.3 |
24.3 |
20.7 |
Moderate‡ |
9.8 |
7.5 |
6.9 |
6.1 |
Severe§ |
1.2 |
1.0 |
1.3 |
0.5 |
Chills |
Any |
15.1 |
12.6 |
8.1 |
6.6 |
Moderate‡ |
3.2 |
2.5 |
1.3 |
1.6 |
Severe§ |
0.5 |
0.1 |
0.7 |
0.5 |
Sore and Swollen Joints |
Any |
11.3 |
11.7 |
9.1 |
7.0 |
Moderate‡ |
2.6 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
2.1 |
Severe§ |
0.3 |
0.1 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
Nausea |
Any |
13.3 |
12.3 |
9.2 |
7.9 |
Moderate‡ |
3.2 |
3.2 |
2.5 |
1.8 |
Severe§ |
1.0 |
0.6 |
0.8 |
0.5 |
Lymph Node Swelling |
Any |
6.6 |
5.3 |
6.5 |
4.1 |
Moderate‡ |
1.0 |
0.5 |
1.2 |
0.5 |
Severe§ |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
Diarrhea |
Any |
10.3 |
10.2 |
10.3 |
11.3 |
Moderate‡ |
1.9 |
2.0 |
2.2 |
2.7 |
Severe§ |
0.3 |
0.0 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
Vomiting |
Any |
4.6 |
2.8 |
3.0 |
1.8 |
Moderate‡ |
1.2 |
1.1 |
1.0 |
0.9 |
Severe§ |
0.5 |
0.3 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
Rash |
Any |
2.7 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.3 |
*N = number of participants with available
data.
† Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids Adsorbed For Adult
Use manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Inc., Swiftwater, PA.
‡Interfered with activities, but did not necessitate
medical care or absenteeism.
§Incapacitating, prevented the performance of usual activities,
may have/or did necessitate medical care or absenteeism. |
Local and systemic solicited reactions occurred at similar rates in Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed)
vaccine and Td vaccine recipients in the 3 day post-vaccination period. Most
local reactions occurred within the first 3 days after vaccination (with a mean
duration of less than 3 days).
The rates of unsolicited adverse events reported from days 14-28 post-vaccination
were comparable between the two groups, as were the rates of unsolicited adverse
events from day 28 through 6 months.
There were no spontaneous reports of whole-arm swelling of the injected limb
in this study, nor in the other three studies which contributed to the safety
database for Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine.
Adverse Events in the Concomitant Vaccine Studies
Local and Systemic Reactions when Given with Hepatitis B Vaccine
The rates reported for fever and injection site pain (at the Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine
administration site) were similar when Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) and Hep B vaccines were given
concurrently or separately. However, the rates of injection site erythema (23.4%
for concomitant vaccination and 21.4% for separate administration) and swelling
(23.9% for concomitant vaccination and 17.9% for separate administration) at
the Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine administration site were increased when co-administered.
Swollen and/or sore joints were reported by 22.5% for concomitant vaccination
and 17.9% for separate administration. The rates of generalized body aches in
the individuals who reported swollen and/or sore joints were 86.7% for concomitant
vaccination and 72.2% for separate administration. Most joint complaints were
mild in intensity with a mean duration of 1.8 days. The incidence of other solicited
and unsolicited adverse events were not different between the 2 study groups.
(9)
Local and Systemic Reactions when Given with Trivalent Inactivated Influenza
Vaccine
The rates of fever and injection site erythema and swelling were similar for
recipients of concurrent and separate administration of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine and TIV.
However, pain at the Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine injection site occurred at statistically
higher rates following concurrent administration (66.6%) versus separate administration
(60.8%). The rates of sore and/or swollen joints were 13% for concurrent administration
and 9% for separate administration. Most joint complaints were mild in intensity
with a mean duration of 2.0 days. The incidence of other solicited and unsolicited
adverse events were similar between the 2 study groups. (9)
Additional Studies
An additional 1,806 adolescents received Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine as part of the lot
consistency study used to support Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine licensure. This study was a
randomized, double-blind, multi-center trial designed to assess lot consistency
as measured by the safety and immunogenicity of 3 lots of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine when
given as a booster dose to adolescents 11-17 years of age inclusive. Local and
systemic adverse events were monitored for 14 days post-vaccination using a
diary card. Unsolicited adverse events and serious adverse events were collected
for 28 days post-vaccination. Pain was the most frequently reported local adverse
event occurring in approximately 80% of all participants. Headache was the most
frequently reported systemic event occurring in approximately 44% of all participants.
Sore and/or swollen joints were reported by approximately 14% of participants.
Most joint complaints were mild in intensity with a mean duration of 2.0 days.
(9)
An additional 962 adolescents and adults received Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine in three supportive
Canadian studies used as the basis for licensure in other countries. Within
these clinical trials, the rates of local and systemic reactions following Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed)
vaccine were similar to those reported in the four principal trials in the US
with the exception of a higher rate (86%) of adults experiencing 'any' local
injection site pain. The rate of severe pain (0.8%), however, was comparable
to the rates reported in four principal trials conducted in the US. (9) There
was one spontaneous report of whole-arm swelling of the injected limb among
the 277 Td vaccine recipients, and two spontaneous reports among the 962 Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed)
vaccine recipients in the supportive Canadian studies.
Postmarketing Reports
The following adverse events have been spontaneously reported during the post-marketing
use of Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine in the US and other countries. Because these events are
reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible
to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to vaccine
exposure.
The following adverse events were included based on severity, frequency of
reporting or the strength of causal association to Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine.
General disorders and administration site conditions:
Large injection site reactions ( > 50 mm), extensive limb
swelling from the injection site beyond one or both joints.
Injection site bruising, sterile abscess
Nervous system disorders:
Paraesthesia, hypoesthesia, Guillain-Barré syndrome,
facial palsy, convulsion, syncope, myelitis
Immune system disorders:
Anaphylactic reaction, hypersensitivity reaction (angioedema,
edema, rash, hypotension)
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
Pruritus, urticaria
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders:
Myositis, muscle spasm
Cardiac disorders:
Myocarditis
Additional Adverse Events
Additional adverse events, included in this section, have been reported in
conjunction with receipt of vaccines containing diphtheria, tetanus toxoids
and/or pertussis antigens.
Arthus-type hypersensitivity reactions, characterized by severe local reactions
(generally starting 2-8 hours after an injection), may follow receipt of tetanus
toxoid. Such reactions may be associated with high levels of circulating antitoxin
in persons who have had overly frequent injections of tetanus toxoid. (14) (See
WARNINGS.)
Persistent nodules at the site of injection have been reported following the
use ofadsorbed products. (12)
Certain neurological conditions have been reported in temporal association
with some tetanus toxoid containing vaccines or tetanus and diphtheria toxoid
containing vaccines. A review by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that
the evidence favors acceptance of a causal relation between tetanus toxoid and
both brachial neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Other neurological
conditions that have been reported include: demyelinating diseases of the central
nervous system, peripheral mononeuropathies, and cranial mononeuropathies. The
IOM has concluded that the evidence is inadequate to accept or reject a causal
relation between these conditions and vaccines containing tetanus and/or diphtheria
toxoids.
Reporting of Adverse Events
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, established by the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, requires physicians and other health-care
providers who administer vaccines to maintain permanent vaccination records
of the manufacturer and lot number of the vaccine administered in the vaccine
recipient's permanent medical record along with the date of administration of
the vaccine and the name, address and title of the person administering the
vaccine. The Act further requires the health-care professional to report to
the US Department of Health and Human Services the occurrence following immunization
of any event set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table. These include anaphylaxis
or anaphylactic shock within 7 days; brachial neuritis within 28 days; an acute
complication or sequelae (including death) of an illness, disability, injury,
or condition referred to above, or any events that would contraindicate further
doses of vaccine, according to this Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine package insert. (15) (16)
(17)
The US Department of Health and Human Services has established the Vaccine
Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to accept all reports of suspected adverse
events after the administration of any vaccine. Reporting of all adverse events
occurring after vaccine administration is encouraged from vaccine recipients,
parents/guardians and the health-care provider. Adverse events following immunization
should be reported to VAERS. Reporting forms and information about reporting
requirements or completion of the form can be obtained from VAERS through a
toll-free number 1-800-822-7967 or visit the VAERS website at www.vaers.hhs.gov.
(15) (16) (17)
Health-care providers should also report these events to Sanofi Pasteur Inc.,
Discovery Drive, Swiftwater, PA 18370 or call 1-800-822-2463 (1-800-VACCINE).