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Accelerating control of pertussis in England and Wales
Helen Campbell1, Gayatri Amirthalingam, Nick Andrews
1Health Protection Agency, London, UK. helen.campbell@hpa.org.uk
Insights
An accelerated infant pertussis vaccination schedule in England and Wales led to fewer infant cases. On-time completion of pertussis immunization is crucial for infant protection and public health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Examined the impact of an accelerated pertussis vaccination schedule introduced in England and Wales in 1990.
- Assessed the effectiveness of pertussis vaccines in different age groups.
Observation:
- Sustained high vaccine coverage and earlier infant scheduling correlated with reduced pertussis incidence.
- Pertussis primarily persisted in young infants, adolescents, and adults.
Findings:
- The first pertussis vaccine dose showed 61.7% effectiveness in infants under 6 months, increasing with subsequent doses.
- Three doses of whole-cell pertussis vaccine were 83.7% effective in children aged 10-16 years.
- Preschool boosters further decreased pertussis incidence in younger children.
Implications:
- Reinforces the World Health Organization's recommendation for timely infant vaccination completion.
- Suggests potential benefits of future pertussis vaccine program modifications, requiring further detailed investigation.
Abstract:
Results of an accelerated pertussis vaccination schedule for infants introduced in 1990 in England and Wales were examined. Earlier scheduling and sustained high vaccine coverage resulted in fewer reported cases of pertussis among infants, reinforcing the World Health Organization drive for on-time completion of the infant vaccination schedule. As determined by using the screening method, the first dose of vaccine was 61.7% effective in infants <6 months of age, and effectiveness increased with subsequent doses. Three doses of a good whole-cell pertussis vaccine were 83.7% effective in children 10-16 years of age; a preschool booster vaccination further reduced pertussis incidence in children <10 years of age. As in other industrialized countries, surveillance data during 1998-2009 showed that pertussis in England and Wales mainly persists in young infants (i.e., <3 months of age), teenagers, and adults. Future vaccine program changes may be beneficial, but additional detail is required to inform such decisions.
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