Immunogenicity of a single dose of reduced-antigen acellular pertussis vaccine in a non-vaccinated adolescent population

German adolescents (n = 123) without previous pertussis vaccination, no history of pertussis and low IgG-anti-pertussis-toxin (PT) levels received one dose of the Tdap vaccine Boostrix™. Blood samples were taken before, and 5–12 days and 29–49 days after vaccination. IgG- and IgA-anti-PT, IgG- and IgA-anti filamentous hemagglutinin, IgG-anti-pertactin, IgG-anti-tetanus-toxin, and IgG-anti-diphtheria-toxin were measured by ELISA. 88.6% of subjects had an immune response to PT, and all vaccinees had an immune response to at least one pertussis antigen 29–49 days after vaccination. IgA-anti-PT and IgA-anti-FHA responses were found in 43 and 81% of subjects, respectively. This study shows that in unvaccinated German adolescents pertussis immunity can be achieved by a single dose of Tdap.