Active Immunization

Types of Acquired Immunity Against Infectious Disease

“…The recognition of the variability in significance of the negative Schick test has been described repeatedly over the years; some of the more recent expressions are contained in (93,113).…”

“…Edsall (113) in a 1946 review stated that alum-precipitated toxoid is possibly slightly superior to fluid toxoid; this view is generally held. Alum-precipitated material possesses the disadvantage of provoking enhanced hypersensitive reactions as well as more frequent local reactions.…”

“…Most Schick negative individuals show the tuberculin-type of reactivity to purified toxoid, and in these per sons reactions cannot be avoided. Since these individuals already possess a level of antitoxin however, very small "booster" doses may be employed, reliance being placed upon the repeatedly demonstrated (112,113,117) effectiveness of small doses of diph theria toxin in inducing pronounced anamnestic responses. The Schick test dose may itself serve as an adequate booster stimulus.…”

“…Edsall (113) states that a minimum of two doses of alum precipitated or three doses of fluid toxoid are necessary to produce an adequate and sustained immunity. Spacing of injections with either agent should be at least three weeks apart, preferably longer.…”