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Do we need to boost pertussis immunization within the existing UK vaccination schedule?
1School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield. s.m.beard@sheffield.ac.uk
Journal of Public Health Medicine
|November 15, 2000
Summary
Pertussis vaccination is crucial for infants, as the disease causes severe illness and death. Booster doses for children and adults may help control pertussis spread.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) causes significant illness, including pneumonia, seizures, and encephalopathy, particularly in children under 4 years old.
- Infants under 6 months face a 1 in 250 risk of death or severe brain damage from pertussis.
- The UK's pertussis control relies on the diphtheria, tetanus, and whole-cell pertussis (DTPw) vaccine schedule, with high coverage rates but concerns about under-reporting and rising infant infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of adding childhood pertussis booster doses.
- To explore the role of selective adult booster immunization in controlling pertussis circulation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of UK surveillance data for pertussis infection trends.
- Review of existing literature on vaccine efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Surveillance data indicate a possible upward trend in pertussis infections among infants under 3 months old.
- High vaccination coverage (over 90%) has maintained low overall infection rates (1.2 per 100,000).
Conclusions:
- Adding childhood booster doses of pertussis vaccine to the routine schedule may offer clinical advantages and be cost-effective.
- Targeted adult immunization could be a valuable strategy for reducing pertussis transmission.