Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
Published on: February 22, 2019
CDC update on pertussis surveillance and Tdap vaccine recommendations
1Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Insights
Pertussis, a poorly controlled vaccine-preventable illness, is increasing. Vaccination with Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) is crucial for preventing disease across all age groups.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) is a significant bacterial vaccine-preventable disease with increasing reported cases since the early 1980s.
- Contributing factors to the rise in pertussis include waning immunity, improved recognition, and changes in diagnostic methods and reporting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of the Tdap vaccine for pertussis prevention.
- To highlight the role of school nurses in promoting Tdap vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Review of pertussis epidemiology and vaccination recommendations.
- Discussion of Tdap vaccine's role in primary disease prevention.
Main Results:
- Tdap vaccine is recommended as a single booster dose for preteens, teens, and adults lacking prior vaccination.
- Immunizations, including Tdap, are vital for preventing pertussis from infancy through adulthood.
Conclusions:
- The Tdap vaccine is essential for controlling pertussis, a poorly managed vaccine-preventable disease.
- School nurses play a critical role in raising awareness and advocating for Tdap vaccination policies.
Abstract:
Pertussis is the most poorly controlled bacterial vaccine-preventable disease. Since the early 1980s there has been an increase in reported cases of pertussis. Multiple factors have likely contributed to the increase, including waning immunity, increased recognition, and changes in diagnostic testing and reporting. Of the four combination vaccines used to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, one dose of Tdap should be used to vaccinate preteens as well as teens and adults who have not yet received this booster dose. It is the position of NASN that immunizations, including the Tdap vaccine, are key to primary prevention of diseasefrom infancy through adulthood. The school nurse is in a critical position to create awareness and influence action-related national and state recommendations for the Tdap vaccine.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Diphtheria
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
01:51Vaccinations
01:26Principles of Disease Surveillance
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...