Ongoing Clinical Trials for Diphtheria
Currently, there is 1 ongoing clinical trial investigating vaccination strategies to boost immunity against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough in healthcare workers. This trial is being conducted in Finland and focuses on evaluating the immune response to the dTap booster vaccine among healthcare professionals who regularly work with infants.
Clinical trial locations
Study on the Effectiveness of dTap Vaccine in Boosting Immunity Against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough in Healthcare Workers
This clinical trial investigates how well the dTap booster vaccine works in strengthening immunity among healthcare workers who regularly interact with infants.
Who can participate:
- Healthcare workers who regularly work with infants under 12 months old and require a dTap booster vaccination every 5 years
- Individuals who have not received a dTap vaccination in more than 4 years
- Those willing to attend 2 study visits, complete questionnaires, provide blood samples, and receive the dTap vaccine
- Both male and female participants are welcome
Who cannot participate:
- People with known allergies to any components of the dTap vaccine
- Those who have received other vaccines within 4 weeks before the study starts
- Individuals with serious chronic illnesses or immune system disorders
- People taking medications that affect the immune system, such as steroids
- Those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study
- Anyone who has had a previous severe reaction to any vaccine
- People currently participating in another clinical trial
What the trial involves:
The study aims to understand how the immune system of healthcare workers responds to the dTap booster vaccine. Participants will receive the vaccine through an injection in the upper arm and their immune response will be measured before and after vaccination.
The trial follows a straightforward process over approximately four weeks. At the initial visit, participants complete a questionnaire about their health and work environment and provide a blood sample to measure their current immunity levels. They then receive the dTap booster vaccination. After a 28-day period during which the body develops an immune response, participants return for a follow-up visit where another blood sample is taken to assess how well the vaccine has worked.
Investigational treatment:
The dTap vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against three serious bacterial infections. It contains inactivated toxins and proteins from the bacteria that cause these diseases, which prompt the immune system to produce protective antibodies. This booster shot is designed to strengthen immunity, particularly important for healthcare workers who are regularly in contact with vulnerable infants. The vaccine is administered as a single injection into the muscle.
By measuring antibody levels and other immune responses before and four weeks after vaccination, researchers will determine how effectively the vaccine boosts immunity in this important group of healthcare professionals.
Summary
Currently, there is only one active clinical trial related to diphtheria prevention, focusing specifically on healthcare workers in Finland. This reflects a targeted approach to protecting a vulnerable population—infants under 12 months—by ensuring that healthcare professionals who work with them maintain strong immunity against these serious bacterial infections. The trial uses an established vaccine, the dTap booster, and aims to better understand the immune response in healthcare settings rather than testing a completely new treatment. The focus on healthcare workers highlights the importance of preventing the spread of these diseases to the most vulnerable patients.