Acellular pertussis vaccines: maybe slightly less effective, but better tolerated

(1) With the exception of an American vaccine, whole-cell pertussis vaccines, including the preparation marketed in France, have an efficacy of 90 to 95%. Systemic and local reactions are frequent and can be severe. Cellular vaccines do not seem to cause permanent brain lesions or sudden infant death. (2) Four acellular pertussis vaccines are marketed in France: two have two antigenic components and two have three components. (3) The efficacy of the best acellular pertussis vaccines does not exceed 85% after primary vaccination. Clinical protection may be shorter-lived with acellular than with cellular vaccines. (4) Systemic and local adverse effects, both mild and severe, are significantly less frequent with acellular vaccines.