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Insights
Pertussis, a contagious bacterial illness, saw increasing cases in adolescents despite high childhood vaccination rates. New Tdap booster vaccines are now recommended for teens and adults to combat waning immunity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacterial illness, vaccine-preventable, and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in infants.
- While childhood vaccination has drastically reduced pertussis incidence, immunity wanes over time, leading to increased susceptibility in adolescents and adults.
- Despite high childhood vaccination coverage exceeding 90%, reported pertussis cases have risen, with a notable increase among adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze national pertussis surveillance data from 2001-2003, focusing on cases in individuals aged 10-19 years.
- To understand the epidemiology of pertussis in adolescents prior to the widespread implementation of adolescent booster vaccination recommendations.
- To inform public health strategies for controlling pertussis outbreaks in vulnerable age groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized national pertussis surveillance data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003.
- Analyzed case data specifically for individuals aged 10-19 years to identify trends and patterns in pertussis incidence.
- Examined demographic and epidemiological characteristics of pertussis cases within the adolescent population.
Main Results:
- Reported pertussis cases increased significantly from 1976 to 2003, reaching 11,647 cases in 2003.
- A substantial rise in pertussis cases was observed among adolescents (10-19 years old) during the study period.
- Adolescents become susceptible to pertussis approximately 6-10 years post-childhood vaccination, highlighting the need for booster immunization.
Conclusions:
- Pertussis remains a significant public health concern, particularly for adolescents experiencing waning immunity from childhood vaccinations.
- The increase in adolescent pertussis cases underscores the importance of booster vaccinations, such as the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.
- The findings support the subsequent recommendations for adolescent Tdap vaccination to mitigate disease spread and protect vulnerable populations.
Abstract:
Pertussis is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable bacterial illness characterized by paroxysmal cough, posttussive vomiting, and inspiratory whoop. Pertussis also can occur as a mild or moderate cough illness in persons who are partially immune. In the United States, most hospitalizations and nearly all deaths from pertussis are reported in infants aged <6 months, but substantial morbidity does occur in other age groups. Infant/childhood vaccination has contributed to a reduction of more than 90% in pertussis-related morbidity and mortality since the early 1940s in the United States. Estimates of childhood vaccination coverage with > or =3 doses of pertussis-containing vaccine have exceeded 90% since 1994; however, reported pertussis cases increased from a historic low of 1,010 in 1976 to 11,647 cases in 2003. A substantial increase in reported cases has occurred among adolescents, who become susceptible to pertussis approximately 6-10 years after childhood vaccination. Recently, booster vaccines for adolescents and adults combining pertussis antigens with tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Tdap) were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On June 30, 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended Tdap for all persons aged 11-18 years. This report summarizes national surveillance data on pertussis reported to CDC during 2001-2003 and focuses on pertussis reported among persons aged 10-19 years before implementation of national recommendations for adolescent pertussis vaccination.
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