SIDE EFFECTS
Data From Clinical Studies
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.
Approximately 18,000 doses of
DAPTACEL vaccine have been administered to infants and children in 9 clinical
studies. Of these, 3 doses of DAPTACEL vaccine were administered to 4,998
children, 4 doses of DAPTACEL vaccine were administered to 1,725 children, and
5 doses of DAPTACEL vaccine were administered to 485 children. A total of 989
children received 1 dose of DAPTACEL vaccine following 4 prior doses of
Pentacel vaccine.
In a randomized, double-blinded
pertussis vaccine efficacy trial, the Sweden I Efficacy Trial, conducted in
Sweden during 1992-1995, the safety of DAPTACEL vaccine was compared with DT
and a whole-cell pertussis DTP vaccine. A standard diary card was kept for 14
days after each dose and follow-up telephone calls were made 1 and 14 days
after each injection. Telephone calls were made monthly to monitor the
occurrence of severe events and/or hospitalizations for the 2 months after the
last injection. There were fewer of the solicited common local and systemic
reactions following DAPTACEL vaccine than following the whole-cell pertussis
DTP vaccine. As shown in Table 1, the 2,587 infants who received DAPTACEL
vaccine at 2, 4 and 6 months of age had similar rates of reactions within 24
hours as recipients of DT and significantly lower rates than infants receiving
whole-cell pertussis DTP.
Table 1: Percentage of
Infants from Sweden I Efficacy Trial with Local or Systemic Reactions within 24
Hours Post-Dose 1, 2 and 3 of DAPTACEL vaccine compared with DT and Whole-Cell
Pertussis DTP Vaccines
EVENT |
Dose 1 (2 MONTHS) |
Dose 2 (4 MONTHS) |
Dose 3 (6 MONTHS) |
DAPTACEL vaccine
N = 2,587 |
DT
N = 2,574 |
DTP
N = 2,102 |
DAPTACEL vaccine
N = 2,563 |
DT
N = 2,555 |
DTP
N = 2,040 |
DAPTACEL vaccine
N = 2,549 |
DT
N = 2,538 |
DTP
N = 2,001 |
Local |
Tenderness (Any) |
8.0* |
8.4 |
59.5 |
10.1* |
10.3 |
60.2 |
10.8* |
10 |
50 |
Redness ≥ 2 cm |
0.3* |
0.3 |
6 |
1.0* |
0.8 |
5.1 |
3.7* |
2.4 |
6.4 |
Swelling ≥ 2 cm |
0.9* |
0.7 |
10.6 |
1.6* |
2 |
10 |
6.3*† |
3.9 |
10.5 |
Systemic |
Fever‡ ≥ 38°C (100.4°F) |
7.8* |
7.6 |
72.3 |
19.1* |
18.4 |
74.3 |
23.6* |
22.1 |
65.1 |
Fretfulness§ |
32.3 |
33 |
82.1 |
39.6 |
39.8 |
85.4 |
35.9 |
37.7 |
73 |
Anorexia |
11.2* |
10.3 |
39.2 |
9.1* |
8.1 |
25.6 |
8.4* |
7.7 |
17.5 |
Drowsiness |
32.7* |
32 |
56.9 |
25.9* |
25.6 |
50.6 |
18.9* |
20.6 |
37.6 |
Crying ≥ 1 hour |
1.7* |
1.6 |
11.8 |
2.5* |
2.7 |
9.3 |
1.2* |
1 |
3.3 |
Vomiting |
6.9* |
6.3 |
9.5 |
5.2** |
5.8 |
7.4 |
4.3 |
5.2 |
5.5 |
DT: Swedish National Biologics
Laboratories
DTP: whole-cell pertussis DTP, Sanofi Pasteur Inc.
N = Number of evaluable subjects
* p < 0.001: DAPTACEL vaccine versus whole-cell
pertussis DTP
† p < 0.0001: DAPTACEL vaccine versus DT
‡ Rectal temperature
§ Statistical comparisons were not made for this variable
** p < 0.003: DAPTACEL vaccine versus whole-cell pertussis DTP |
The incidence of serious and
less common selected systemic events in the Sweden I Efficacy Trial is
summarized in Table 2.
Table 2: Selected Systemic
Events: Rates Per 1,000 Doses after Vaccination at 2, 4 and 6 Months of Age in
Sweden I Efficacy Trial
EVENT |
Dose 1 (2 MONTHS) |
Dose 2 (4 MONTHS) |
Dose 3 (6 MONTHS) |
DAPTACEL vaccine
N = 2,587 |
DT
N = 2,574 |
DTP
N = 2,102 |
DAPTACEL vaccine
N = 2,565 |
DT
N = 2,556 |
DTP N = 2,040 |
DAPTACEL vaccine
N = 2,551 |
DT
N = 2,539 |
DTP
N = 2,002 |
Rectal temperature ≥ 40°C (104°F) within 48 hours of vaccination |
0.39 |
0.78 |
3.33 |
0 |
0.78 |
3.43 |
0.39 |
1.18 |
6.99 |
Hypotonic- hypo- responsive episode within 24 hours of vaccination |
0 |
0 |
1.9 |
0 |
0 |
0.49 |
0.39 |
0 |
0 |
Persistent crying ≥ 3 hours within 24 hours of vaccination |
1.16 |
0 |
8.09 |
0.39 |
0.39 |
1.96 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Seizures within 72 hours of vaccination |
0 |
0.39 |
0 |
0 |
0.39 |
0.49 |
0 |
0.39 |
0 |
DT: Swedish National B iologics
Laboratories
DTP: whole-cell pertussis DTP, Sanofi Pasteur Inc.
N = Number of evaluable subjects |
In the Sweden I Efficacy Trial,
one case of whole limb swelling and generalized symptoms, with resolution
within 24 hours, was observed following dose 2 of DAPTACEL vaccine. No episodes
of anaphylaxis or encephalopathy were observed. No seizures were reported
within 3 days of vaccination with DAPTACEL vaccine. Over the entire study
period, 6 seizures were reported in the DAPTACEL vaccine group, 9 in the DT
group and 3 in the whole-cell pertussis DTP group, for overall rates of 2.3,
3.5 and 1.4 per 1,000 vaccinees, respectively. One case of infantile spasms was
reported in the DAPTACEL vaccine group. There were no instances of invasive
bacterial infection or death.
In a US study, children
received 4 doses of DAPTACEL vaccine at 2, 4, 6 and 15-17 months of age. A
total of 1,454 children received DAPTACEL vaccine and were included in the
safety analyses. Of these, 51.7% were female, 77.2% Caucasian, 6.3% Black, 6.5%
Hispanic, 0.9% Asian and 9.1% other races. The use of DAPTACEL vaccine as a
fifth dose of DTaP vaccine was evaluated in 2 subsequent US clinical studies.
In one study, a total of 485 children received DAPTACEL vaccine at 4-6 years of
age following 4 prior doses of DAPTACEL vaccine in infancy (DAPTACEL-primed).
In a separate study, a total of 989 children received DAPTACEL vaccine at 4-6
years of age following 4 prior doses of Pentacel vaccine in infancy
(Pentacel-primed). The children included in these fifth dose studies were
non-random subsets of participants from previous DAPTACEL or Pentacel studies.
The subsets were representative of all children who received 4 doses of
DAPTACEL or Pentacel vaccine in the earlier studies with regard to frequencies
of solicited local and systemic adverse events following the fourth dose.
In the US 4-dose DAPTACEL
study, at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, DAPTACEL vaccine was administered
concomitantly with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine
(tetanus toxoid conjugate) (Sanofi Pasteur SA), inactivated poliovirus vaccine
(IPV) (Sanofi Pasteur SA), and 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Wyeth
Pharmaceuticals Inc.). Infants had received the first dose of hepatitis B
vaccine at 0 months of age. At 2 and 6 months of age, hepatitis B vaccine
(recombinant) (Merck & Co., Inc.) was also administered concomitantly with
DAPTACEL vaccine. Based on random assignment, the fourth dose of DAPTACEL vaccine
was administered either alone; concomitantly with Hib conjugate (tetanus toxoid
conjugate) vaccine; or concomitantly with Hib conjugate (tetanus toxoid
conjugate) vaccine, 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, measles, mumps,
rubella (MMR) vaccine (Merck & Co., Inc.), and varicella vaccine (Merck
& Co., Inc.). In the fifth dose studies, DAPTACEL vaccine was administered
concomitantly with IPV (all DAPTACEL-primed subjects and 47% of Pentacel-primed
subjects) and MMR vaccine.
In the US studies, the occurrence
of solicited local and systemic adverse events listed in Table 3 was recorded
daily by parents or guardians for Days 0-7 following vaccination. For Days 0
and 1 following the first three doses of DAPTACEL vaccine, signs and symptoms
of HHE also were solicited. Periodic telephone calls were made to inquire about
adverse events. Serious adverse events were
monitored during the three studies, through 6 months following the last dose of
DAPTACEL vaccine.
The incidence and severity of
selected solicited local and systemic adverse events that occurred within 3
days following each dose of DAPTACEL vaccine are shown in Table 3. The
incidence of redness, tenderness and swelling at the DAPTACEL injection site
increased with the fourth and fifth doses, with the highest rates reported
after the fifth dose. The incidence of redness, tenderness and swelling at the
DAPTACEL injection site was similarly increased when DAPTACEL vaccine was given
as a fifth dose of DTaP vaccine in Pentacel-primed children.
Table 3: Number (Percentage)
of Children from US Studies with Selected Solicited Local and Systemic Adverse
Events by Severity Occurring Between 0 to 3 Days after Each Dose of DAPTACEL
Vaccine
|
Dose 1* |
Dose 2* |
Dose 3* |
Dose 4* |
Dose 5 |
N= 1390-1406 % |
N= 1346-1360 % |
N = 1301-1312 % |
N= 1118-1144 % |
DAPTACEL-primed*
N = 473-481 % |
Pentacel-primed*
N = 936-981 % |
Injection Site Reactions (DAPTACEL vaccine injection site) |
Redness |
> 5 mm |
6.2 |
7.1 |
9.6 |
17.3 |
35.8 |
20.2 |
25 - 50 mm |
0.6 |
0.5 |
1.9 |
6.3 |
10.4 |
6.8 |
> 50 mm |
0.4 |
0.1 |
0 |
3.1 |
15.8 |
6.6 |
Swelling |
> 5 mm |
4 |
4 |
6.5 |
11.7 |
23.9 |
12 |
25 - 50 mm |
1.2 |
0.6 |
1 |
3.2 |
5.8 |
4.1 |
> 50 mm |
0.4 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
1.6 |
7.7 |
2.9 |
Tenderness † |
Any |
48.8 |
38.2 |
40.9 |
49.5 |
61.5 |
50 |
Moderate |
16.5 |
9.9 |
10.6 |
12.3 |
11.2 |
7.4 |
Severe |
4.1 |
2.3 |
1.7 |
2.2 |
1.7 |
0.3 |
Increase in Arm Circumference‡ |
> 5 mm |
- |
- |
- |
- |
38.3 |
28.6 |
20 - 40 mm |
- |
- |
- |
- |
14 |
7.6 |
> 40 mm |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1.5 |
1.2 |
Interference with Normal Activity of the Arm§ |
Any |
- |
- |
- |
- |
20.4 |
8.8 |
Moderate |
- |
- |
- |
- |
5.6 |
1.7 |
Severe |
|
|
|
|
0.4 |
0 |
Systemic Reactions |
Fever** |
≥ 38.0°C |
9.3 |
16.1 |
15.8 |
10.5 |
6.1 |
4.6 |
> 38.5-39.5°C |
1.5 |
3.9 |
4.8 |
2.7 |
2.1 |
2 |
> 39.5°C |
0.1 |
0.4 |
0.3 |
0.7 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
Decreased Activity/Lethargy†† |
Any |
51.1 |
37.4 |
33.2 |
25.3 |
21 |
12.6 |
Moderate |
23 |
14.4 |
12.1 |
8.2 |
5.8 |
3.6 |
Severe |
1.2 |
1.4 |
0.6 |
1 |
0.8 |
0.4 |
Inconsolable Crying‡‡ |
Any |
58.5 |
51.4 |
47.9 |
37.1 |
14.1 |
7.2 |
Moderate |
14.2 |
12.6 |
10.8 |
7.7 |
3.5 |
1.9 |
Severe |
2.2 |
3.4 |
1.4 |
1.5 |
0.4 |
0.3 |
Fussiness/Irritability §§ |
Any |
75.8 |
70.7 |
67.1 |
54.4 |
34.9 |
22.9 |
Moderate |
27.7 |
25 |
22 |
16.3 |
7.5 |
5.3 |
Severe |
5.6 |
5.5 |
4.3 |
3.9 |
0.4 |
0.5 |
* In one U.S. study, children
received four doses of DAPTACEL vaccine. A non-random subset of these children
received a fifth dose of DAPTACEL vaccine in a subsequent study. A non-random
subset of children previously vaccinated with 4 doses of Pentacel vaccine in
previous clinical studies received a dose of DAPTACEL vaccine at 4-6 years of
age as the fifth dose of DTaP vaccine in another clinical study.
† Doses 1-4 - Moderate: subject cries when site is
touched; Severe: subject cries when leg or arm is moved. Dose 5 - Moderate: interfered with activities, but did not
require medical care or absenteeism; Severe: incapacitating, unable to perform
usual activities, may have/or required medical care or absenteeism.
‡ The circumference of the DAPTACEL vaccine-injected
arm at the level of the axilla was monitored following the fourth and fifth
doses only. Increase in arm circumference was calculated by subtracting the
baseline circumference pre-vaccination (Day 0) from the circumference
post-vaccination.
§ Moderate: decreased use of arm, but did not require
medical care or absenteeism; Severe: incapacitating, refusal to move arm, may
have/or required medical care or absenteeism.
** For Doses 1-3, 53.7% of temperatures were measured
rectally, 45.1% were measured axillary, 1.0% were measured orally, and 0.1%
were measured by an unspecified route. For Dose 4, 35.7% of temperatures were
measured rectally, 62.3% were measured axillary, 1.5% were measured orally, and
0.5% were measured by an unspecified route. For Dose 5 in DAPTACEL-primed
children, 0.2% of temperatures were measured rectally, 11.3% were measured
axillary, and 88.4% were measured orally. For Dose 5 in Pentacel-primed
children, 0.2% of temperatures were measured rectally, 0.5% were measured
tympanically, 17% were measured axillary, and 81.7% were measured orally. Fever
is based upon actual temperatures recorded with no adjustments to the
measurement for route.
†† Dose 1-4 - Moderate: interferes with and limits
daily activity, less interactive; Severe: disabling (not interested in usual
daily activity, subject cannot be coaxed to interact with caregiver). Dose 5 - Moderate: interfered with activities, but did not
require medical care or absenteeism; Severe: incapacitating, unable to perform
usual activities, may have/or required medical care or absenteeism.
‡‡ Doses 1-4 - Moderate: 1 to 3 hours inconsolable
crying; Severe: > 3 hours inconsolable crying. Dose 5 - Moderate: interfered with activities, but did not require
medical care or absenteeism; Severe: incapacitating, unable to perform usual
activities, may have/or required medical care or absenteeism.
§§ Doses 1-4 - Moderate: Irritability for 1 to 3 hours; Severe: irritability
for > 3 hours. Dose 5 - Moderate: interfered with activities, but did not
require medical care or absenteeism; Severe:
incapacitating, unable to perform usual activities, may have/or required
medical care or absenteeism. |
In the US study in which
children received 4 doses of DAPTACEL vaccine, of 1,454 subjects who received
DAPTACEL vaccine, 5 (0.3%) subjects experienced a seizure within 60 days
following any dose of DAPTACEL vaccine. One seizure occurred within 7 days
post-vaccination: an infant who experienced an afebrile seizure with apnea on
the day of the first vaccination. Three other cases of seizures occurred
between 8 and 30 days post-vaccination. Of the seizures that occurred within 60
days post-vaccination, 3 were associated with fever. In this study, there were
no reported cases of HHE following DAPTACEL vaccine. There was one death due to
aspiration 222 days post-vaccination in a subject with ependymoma. Within 30
days following any dose of DAPTACEL vaccine, 57 (3.9%) subjects reported at
least one serious adverse event. During this period, the most frequently
reported serious adverse event was bronchiolitis, reported in 28 (1.9%)
subjects. Other serious adverse events that occurred within 30 days following
DAPTACEL vaccine include three cases of pneumonia, two cases of meningitis and
one case each of sepsis, pertussis (post-dose 1), irritability and
unresponsiveness.
In the US study in which
DAPTACEL vaccine was administered as a fifth DTaP dose in DAPTACEL-primed
subjects, within 30 days following the fifth consecutive dose of DAPTACEL
vaccine, 1 (0.2%) subject reported 2 serious adverse events (bronchospasm and
hypoxia). In the US study in which DAPTACEL vaccine was administered as a fifth
DTaP dose in Pentacel-primed subjects, within 30 days following DAPTACEL, 4
(0.4%) subjects reported one or more serious adverse events (asthma and
pneumonia; idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; vomiting; cellulitis not at the
injection site). In these two studies, there were no reports of seizures within
30 days following DAPTACEL vaccine in either the DAPTACEL-primed subjects or
Pentacel-primed subjects.
In another study (Sweden II
Efficacy Trial), 3 DTaP vaccines and a whole-cell pertussis DTP vaccine, none
of which are licensed in the US, were evaluated to assess relative safety and
efficacy. This study included HCPDT, a vaccine made of the same components as
DAPTACEL vaccine but containing twice the amount of detoxified PT and four
times the amount of FHA (20 mcg detoxified PT and 20 mcg FHA). HHE was observed
following 29 (0.047%) of 61,220 doses of HCPDT; 16 (0.026%) of 61,219 doses of
an acellular pertussis vaccine made by another manufacturer; and 34 (0.056%) of
60,792 doses of a whole-cell pertussis DTP vaccine. There were 4 additional cases of HHE in other studies using HCPDT
vaccine for an overall rate of 33 (0.047%) in 69,525 doses.
Data From Post-Marketing Experience
The following adverse events have been spontaneously reported during the post-marketing use of DAPTACEL
vaccine in the US and other countries. Because these events are reported
voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it may not be possible to
reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to vaccine
exposure.
The following adverse events
were included based on one or more of the following factors: severity,
frequency of reporting, or strength of evidence for a causal relationship to
DAPTACEL vaccine.
Blood and Lymphatic Disorders
Lymphadenopathy
Cardiac Disorders
Cyanosis
Gastro-intestinal Disorders
Nausea, diarrhea
General Disorders and
Administration Site Conditions
Local reactions: injection site
pain, injection site rash, injection site nodule, injection site mass,
extensive swelling of injected limb (including swelling that involves adjacent
joints).
Infections and Infestations
Injection site cellulitis,
cellulitis, injection site abscess
Immune System Disorders
Hypersensitivity, allergic
reaction, anaphylactic reaction (edema, face edema, swelling face, pruritus,
rash generalized) and other types of rash (erythematous, macular,
maculo-papular)
Nervous System Disorders
Convulsions: febrile
convulsion, grand mal convulsion, partial seizures HHE, hypotonia, somnolence,
syncope
Psychiatric Disorders
Screaming