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Pertussis incidence is rising cyclically, particularly in unvaccinated infants and adolescents. Maintaining high vaccination rates and managing outbreaks are crucial for pertussis prevention.
Area of Science:
- * Public Health
- * Epidemiology
- * Vaccinology
Background:
- * Pertussis (whooping cough) historically caused significant infant morbidity and mortality in the U.S. before widespread vaccination.
- * Introduction of whole-cell pertussis vaccine (DTP) in the late 1940s led to a dramatic decline in reported cases.
- * Since the early 1980s, pertussis incidence has shown cyclical increases, prompting the introduction of less reactogenic acellular pertussis vaccines (DTaP) in 1996.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To summarize national pertussis surveillance data from 1997-2000.
- * To assess the effectiveness of pertussis vaccination during this period.
- * To identify populations at increased risk for pertussis.
Main Methods:
- * Analysis of national pertussis surveillance data.
- * Evaluation of pertussis incidence trends in relation to vaccination status and vaccine types.
- * Assessment of vaccination effectiveness in the U.S. population.
Main Results:
- * Pertussis incidence demonstrated cyclical increases between 1997 and 2000.
- * Rising pertussis rates were observed in infants too young for primary vaccination series.
- * Adolescents and adults also experienced increasing pertussis incidence.
Conclusions:
- * Despite vaccination efforts, pertussis remains a public health concern.
- * High vaccination coverage is essential for controlling pertussis.
- * Targeted prevention strategies are needed for vulnerable populations, including infants, adolescents, and adults, alongside outbreak management.
Abstract:
Pertussis was a major cause of morbidity and mortality among infants and children in the United States during the prevaccine era (i.e., before the mid-1940s). Following the introduction and widespread use of whole-cell pertussis vaccine combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTP) among infants and children in the late 1940s, the incidence of reported pertussis declined to a historic low of 1,010 cases in 1976 (Figure 1). However, since the early 1980s, reported pertussis incidence has increased cyclically with peaks occurring every 3-4 years. In 1996, less reactogenic acellular pertussis vaccines (DTaP) were licensed and recommended for routine use among infants. This report summarizes national surveillance data for pertussis during 1997-2000 and assesses the effectiveness of pertussis vaccination in the United States during this period. The findings indicate that pertussis incidence continues to increase in infants too young to receive 3 doses of pertussis-containing vaccine and in adolescents and adults. Prevention efforts should be directed at maintaining high vaccination rates and managing pertussis cases and outbreaks.