[Preliminary findings with oral whooping cough vaccination in young infants (author's transl)].

A preliminary report is presented on oral vaccination against whooping cough. 23 babies younger than, and 2 older than nine weeks and 12 newborn infants were vaccinated orally. No side effects were observed. Serum antibody titres did not increase markedly, but no child was seronegative after vaccination. An evident antibody titre rise to a higher level than in serum was found in the saliva. These results point toward an adequate local immunity. At present a definite statement about the efficacy of this oral vaccination is difficult to make. Further investigations are necessary.