Testing the hypothesis that early Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis vaccination increases female mortality and morbidity in early infancy
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Statens Serum Institut
The Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis(DTP)-vaccine is one of the most widely used vaccines in the world and provides full protection against the three serious infectious diseases diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. Worryingly, several studies have reported, that DTP-vaccine appears to impair children’s overall ability to combat other infections. The studies have indicated that the vaccine is particularly harmful for female infants. By analyzing collected data on vaccination, deaths and hospitalizations for a cohort of children followed through the Guinea-Bissau National Hospital and home visits, we will investigate if there is an increased risk of illness and death if the child has received an early DTP-vaccine. The study includes 3,316 infants and their parents who were visited at their homes at 2 and 6 months between 2008-2013. The aim of this study is to reduce infant mortality in low-income countries by increasing our knowledge of the DTP vaccine’s overall effects on child health.
Research / Fellowships / Award