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Effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination in England: an observational study

Gayatri Amirthalingam1, Nick Andrews2, Helen Campbell1

  • 1Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety Department, Public Health England, London, UK.

Lancet (London, England)
|July 20, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The pertussis vaccination program for pregnant women in England demonstrated high vaccine effectiveness, significantly reducing infant cases and hospitalizations. This maternal immunization strategy offers crucial protection for newborns against pertussis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • England introduced a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination program for pregnant women in October 2012.
  • This initiative was a direct response to a pertussis outbreak across England.
  • The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this vaccination program in preventing infant pertussis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the vaccine effectiveness of maternal pertussis immunization.
  • To determine the overall impact of the vaccination program on infant pertussis incidence and hospitalizations.
  • To provide data for international policymakers regarding maternal vaccination strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases and hospital admissions in infants (January 2008–September 2013).
  • Data sourced from Public Health England's enhanced pertussis surveillance.
  • Vaccine effectiveness calculated by comparing maternal vaccination status in confirmed infant cases against national vaccine coverage data (Clinical Practice Research Datalink).

Main Results:

  • A significant decline in pertussis cases and hospitalizations was observed following the program's introduction, particularly in infants under 3 months.
  • Infants under 3 months experienced a 78% reduction in confirmed cases and a 68% reduction in hospitalizations in the first 9 months of 2013 compared to 2012.
  • Maternal vaccine coverage reached 64%, with calculated vaccine effectiveness of 91% for infants under 3 months and 90% for infants under 2 months.

Conclusions:

  • The maternal pertussis vaccination program in England is associated with high vaccine effectiveness.
  • Infant protection is likely achieved through both passive antibody transfer from mothers and reduced maternal exposure to pertussis.
  • The findings offer valuable insights for global public health strategies concerning pertussis prevention in infants.
Abstract

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