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Acellular pertussis vaccines for use among infants and young children

Magda Campins-Martí1, Fernando A Moraga-Llop

  • 1Departments of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. magca@jet.es

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
|April 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Acellular pertussis vaccines offer improved safety over older whole-cell vaccines, leading to better disease control. Continued vaccination of adolescents and adults with diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (dTap) vaccines is crucial for eliminating pertussis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Pertussis remains a significant vaccine-preventable childhood illness, with infants under six months facing the highest risk of severe disease and mortality.
  • Concerns regarding the reactogenicity of whole-cell pertussis vaccines in the 1970s led to decreased vaccination rates and disease resurgence.
  • Acellular pertussis vaccines have emerged as a safer alternative, improving vaccine acceptance and contributing to disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the advancements in pertussis vaccination, focusing on the transition from whole-cell to acellular vaccines.
  • To highlight the safety and efficacy profiles of acellular pertussis vaccines compared to their predecessors.
  • To discuss the role of adolescent and adult vaccination with diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (dTap) vaccines in pertussis control and elimination strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on pertussis epidemiology and vaccine development.
  • Analysis of safety and efficacy data for whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines.
  • Evaluation of current pertussis immunization strategies, including adolescent and adult vaccination.

Main Results:

  • Acellular pertussis vaccines demonstrate comparable efficacy to whole-cell vaccines (59-93%) but with a significantly improved safety profile.
  • The introduction of acellular vaccines has enhanced vaccine acceptance and contributed to better control of pertussis.
  • The availability of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (dTap) vaccines allows for continued immunization in adolescents and adults, aiding disease elimination efforts.

Conclusions:

  • Acellular pertussis vaccines represent a major advancement in pertussis prevention, offering a safer alternative for children.
  • Expanded immunization programs, including adolescent and adult vaccination with dTap, are essential for achieving sustained control and potential elimination of pertussis.
  • The ongoing development and implementation of pertussis vaccines are critical for public health, particularly for protecting vulnerable infant populations.

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