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Effectiveness of acellular pertussis vaccine assessed by hospital-based active surveillance in Germany
P Juretzko1, R von Kries, M Hermann
1Department of Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Research Institute, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. zepenowski@t-online.de
Insights
Acellular pertussis vaccination in Germany demonstrates high effectiveness. Even partial vaccination significantly prevents hospitalizations for pertussis, highlighting its crucial role in public health.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Germany predominantly uses acellular pertussis vaccines.
- Assessing vaccine effectiveness is crucial for public health strategies.
- Pertussis (whooping cough) can lead to severe complications requiring hospitalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of complete and partial acellular pertussis vaccination.
- To determine the vaccine's efficacy in preventing pertussis hospitalizations in Germany.
Main Methods:
- A screening method was employed to estimate vaccine effectiveness.
- Telephone surveys assessed vaccine coverage in children born between June 1996 and December 1998.
- A nationwide hospital-based surveillance system collected data on hospitalized pertussis cases and complications from 1997-2000.
Main Results:
- Completed primary pertussis vaccination showed 99.8% effectiveness in preventing hospitalizations.
- One dose of vaccine provided 68.0% effectiveness, increasing to 91.8% after the second dose.
- Effectiveness was slightly higher for preventing pertussis with complications.
Conclusions:
- Acellular pertussis vaccines are highly effective in preventing hospitalizations.
- Partial vaccination schedules offer substantial protection against severe pertussis.
- The findings support the continued use of acellular pertussis vaccines in Germany.
Abstract:
We assessed the effectiveness of complete and partial pertussis vaccination in Germany--a country where acellular vaccine is predominantly used--for the prevention of cases of pertussis requiring hospitalization. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated by means of a screening method. Vaccine coverage of children born during the period of June 1996 through December 1998 was assessed by a telephone survey. Data from hospitalized children with pertussis in 1997-1998 and from patients with pertussis complications in 1997-2000 were acquired by a nationwide, hospital-based, active surveillance system. Age-adjusted vaccine effectiveness of completed primary vaccination was estimated to be 99.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 98.9-100). After receipt of 1 dose of vaccine, vaccine effectiveness was as high as 68.0% (95% CI, 45.6-81.1), increasing to 91.8% (95% CI, 84.7-95.7) after receipt of the second dose. Vaccine effectiveness was even slightly higher for pertussis with complications. Thus, even after partial vaccination, acellular pertussis vaccine is highly effective in preventing hospitalizations for pertussis.