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Published on: February 22, 2019
[Pertussis in Poland in 2002]
1Zakład Epidemiologii Państwowego Zakładu Higieny ul. Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warszawa.
Insights
Pertussis (whooping cough) is reemerging in Poland, with increased cases and shifting demographics. An additional vaccine dose at age six is recommended to boost immunity in older children.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Context:
- Poland has experienced a sustained increase in pertussis (whooping cough) incidence since 1997/1998.
- The last pertussis vaccination is administered before age two, potentially leading to waning immunity in older children.
Purpose:
- To analyze the epidemiological trends of pertussis in Poland.
- To investigate the reasons behind the pertussis resurgence, including age shifts and vaccination coverage.
- To recommend strategies for improving pertussis control.
Summary:
- Pertussis incidence rose in Poland, with 1788 cases in 2002. Higher rates were observed in females and urban areas.
- Discrepancies in reported cases suggest potential surveillance sensitivity issues across regions.
- Waning immunity due to early childhood vaccination is a likely contributing factor to the epidemic.
Impact:
- The findings highlight an urgent need for booster pertussis vaccinations at age six.
- An additional dose of pertussis vaccine was incorporated into the Polish vaccination calendar for 2003.
- Improved surveillance and vaccination strategies are crucial for controlling pertussis outbreaks.
Abstract:
Reemergence of pertussis in a form of epidemic was observed in Poland in 1997/1998. It is rather sustained trend of increased incidence and shift in the age of infected. It may be due to the level of immunity decreasing with age, since according to the vaccination calendar in Poland, last pertussis vaccination is given before the age of two. 1788 cases were reported in 2002, a slight drop from the previous year (2411 in 2001) More cases occurred among females (1043 cases, 5.3/100,000) than among males (745 cases, 4.0/100,000) and in urban areas (5.7/100,000) than in the rural ones (3.0/100,000). Big differences in numbers of cases reported between different districts and between urban and rural areas bring strong possibility of insufficient sensitivity of the surveillance in many regions of Poland. It is concluded that increase of pertussis incidence in Poland, brings urgent need of additional vaccination in the age of 6 to secure protection for the older age groups. Additional dose of pertussis vaccine was included in vaccination calendar for 2003.
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