Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
Published on: February 22, 2019
Pertussis vaccines: position paper of Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)
Vipin M Vashishtha1, C P Bansal, Sailesh G Gupta
1Correspondence to: Vipin M Vashishtha, Convener, IAP Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices, Mangla Hospital and Research Center, Shakti Chowk, Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, 246701, India. vipinipsita@gmail.com.
Insights
Pertussis remains a global health issue, with increasing incidence despite vaccination. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics revised pertussis immunization guidelines, recommending whole-cell vaccines for infants and Tdap during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) poses a significant public health challenge globally, with incidence rising in recent years, even in countries with high vaccination coverage.
- Data on the burden and incidence of pertussis in developing nations, including India, is limited, hindering accurate assessment and targeted interventions.
- Outbreaks in developed countries highlight potential issues with current acellular pertussis vaccines, including waning immunity and suboptimal effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the scarcity of pertussis vaccine efficacy data from India and other developing countries.
- To revise and update pertussis immunization recommendations based on emerging evidence regarding vaccine performance.
- To provide guidance on preferred pertussis vaccine products and strategies for optimal infant and maternal protection.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent evidence on the waning immunity and priming efficacy of whole-cell versus acellular pertussis vaccines.
- Analysis of current pertussis vaccination coverage and outbreak data.
- Revision of existing pertussis immunization guidelines by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics.
Main Results:
- The Indian Academy of Pediatrics has updated its recommendations for pertussis immunization.
- Whole-cell pertussis vaccines are now proposed for the primary infant vaccination series.
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccination is recommended during each pregnancy to protect newborns.
Conclusions:
- Pertussis vaccination strategies need to be adapted based on vaccine-specific performance data, particularly in diverse epidemiological settings.
- The revised guidelines aim to improve protection against pertussis in young infants, a vulnerable population.
- Further research and national guidelines are needed in India to ensure the quality and effective use of pertussis vaccines.
Abstract:
Pertussis continues to be a major public health problem in both developing and developed countries. Data on exact burden and incidence of pertussis in the developing countries including India is sparse. However, the disease is widespread, even if not adequately measurable. Pertussis incidence has been increasing steadily in the last decade especially in industrialized countries. Outbreaks are reported from many developed countries in recent years despite widespread use of acellular pertussis vaccines with high coverage. The current status of coverage with pertussis vaccines is still sub-optimal in many states of the country. There is scarcity of data on vaccine efficacies of both whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines from India and other developing countries. Most of the recommendations on pertussis vaccination are based on the experience gained from the use of them in industrialized countries. Taking in to the consideration the recent evidence of faster waning of acellular pertussis vaccines in comparison to whole-cell vaccines and superior priming with whole-cell than acellular pertussis vaccines, Indian Academy of Pediatrics has now revised its recommendations pertaining to pertussis immunization in office practice. The Academy has now proposed whole-cell pertussis vaccines for the primary series of infant vaccination. Guidelines are also now issued on the preference of a particular acellular product. The Academy has also recommended use of Tdap during each pregnancy to provide protection to the very young infants. It urges the Government of India to initiate studies on the quality of available pertussis vaccines in India and to set indigenous national guidelines for the manufacturers to produce and market different pertussis vaccines in the country.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Diphtheria
01:51Vaccinations
01:21Vaccines
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
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...
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include: