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Protecting pregnant women, newborns, and families from pertussis
1Nevada State Health Division, Immunization Program, 4150 Technology Way, Carson City, NV 89706, USA. klloyd@health.nv.gov
Insights
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is increasing globally due to waning immunity. The cocooning vaccine strategy protects vulnerable infants by immunizing those around them.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) incidence has risen globally for over two decades.
- Waning immunity is a primary driver of pertussis resurgence.
- Newborns and infants under 12 months face the highest risk of pertussis-related morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the increasing global incidence of pertussis.
- To introduce and advocate for the cocooning vaccine strategy.
- To emphasize the protection of vulnerable infant populations.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review of pertussis epidemiology and vaccine strategies.
- It focuses on the 'cocooning' immunization approach.
- It discusses the role of adolescents and adults as pertussis vectors.
Main Results:
- Pertussis resurgence is linked to waning immunity in adolescents and adults.
- Adolescents and adults are key vectors transmitting pertussis to infants.
- The cocooning strategy offers a method to protect high-risk infants.
Conclusions:
- The cocooning vaccine strategy is crucial for protecting vulnerable infants from pertussis.
- Healthcare providers must be aware of and implement cocooning.
- Cocooning contributes to controlling vaccine-preventable diseases in the 21st century.
Abstract:
Pertussis has been on the rise worldwide for more than 20 years. Waning immunity may be the major cause for the resurgence of this disease. Adolescents and adults have become the vectors of pertussis, with newborns and infants less than 12 months of age at greatest risk for morbidity and mortality. Health care providers need to become aware of a vaccine strategy called cocooning that provides the needed vaccines to individuals who have contact with newborns and infants. Cocooning can protect our most vulnerable populations from pertussis and other vaccine -preventable diseases in the 21st Century.
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