This article presents the results of a comparative study of the reactogenicity and the serological response induced by a number of
cholera vaccines. Conducted in the USSR on 998 adults aged 18 years and over, the study covered whole-cell heat-killed and
formalin-inactivated
cholera vaccines, whole-cell heat-killed El Tor
vaccine, and a new partially purified
toxoid preparation proposed for the immunoprophylaxis of
cholera-all administered by
hypodermic syringe or jet injector. The most marked reactions were found to occur with the
formalin-inactivated
cholera vaccine and the least marked with the partially purified
toxoid. It was also established that the
toxoid was no less effective than the whole-cell
vaccine in inducing the intense production of
antibodies to the Inaba serotype and, in somewhat lesser degree, to the Ogawa serotype of the El Tor vibrio. It was the only preparation to give rise to intense production of specific
antitoxins in 95-98% of cases. The reactions to and immunogenic properties of the
cholera vaccines did not show any statistically significant difference whether administered by
hypodermic syringe or by jet injector.