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Pertussis outbreaks in groups claiming religious exemptions to vaccinations
P Etkind1, S M Lett, P D Macdonald
1Division of Epidemiology, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Jamaica Plain 02130-3597.
Insights
Recent pertussis outbreaks highlight risks from vaccine refusal and lack of prophylaxis. Failure to immunize and follow preventive measures can lead to public health issues and legal consequences.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) incidence is increasing.
- Outbreaks have been linked to vaccine hesitancy and non-compliance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze features contributing to recent pertussis outbreaks.
- To inform parents and physicians about immunization importance.
Main Methods:
- Review of four recent pertussis outbreaks in Massachusetts.
- Analysis of contributing factors including immunization status and prophylaxis adherence.
Main Results:
- Outbreaks occurred in unimmunized children with exemptions.
- Reluctance to antibiotic prophylaxis or therapy also contributed.
- Failure to immunize and follow preventive measures were key factors.
Conclusions:
- Vaccine refusal and non-adherence to prophylaxis increase pertussis risk.
- Public health and medicolegal repercussions can arise from non-compliance.
- Awareness and cooperation are crucial for disease prevention.
Abstract:
Four recent outbreaks of pertussis in Massachusetts illustrate some features that contribute to the increased incidence of the disease. The outbreaks involved unimmunized groups of children with philosophical or religious exemptions from school or day-care immunization requirements and children and adults who were reluctant to undergo antibiotic prophylaxis or therapy. Parents and physicians should be aware that failure to immunize and to cooperate in follow-up preventive measures can have public health and potential medicolegal repercussions.