Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
Published on: February 22, 2019
Implementation of pertussis immunization in health-care personnel
Kathi Walther1, Marie-Anne Burckhardt1, Thomas Erb2
1University Children's Hospital Basel, Switzerland.
Insights
Healthcare personnel (HCP) vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough) showed good tolerability. Comprehensive efforts achieved 49% coverage, but more work is needed to increase adult immunization rates for infant protection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) poses a severe risk to young infants, often transmitted by adults.
- Switzerland introduced adult pertussis immunization in 2012 for specific age groups and close infant contacts.
- A hospital-based vaccination campaign was implemented following this recommendation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the uptake and tolerability of tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination among hospital healthcare personnel (HCP).
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a hospital-wide vaccination campaign for pertussis.
- To identify factors influencing immunization coverage in HCP.
Main Methods:
- A vaccination campaign offering Tdap immunization to HCP was conducted from April 2012 to March 2013.
- HCP received information, counseling, and immunization after consent and screening for contraindications.
- Adverse events (AE) were self-assessed using standardized diaries for 7 days.
Main Results:
- Out of 852 eligible HCP, 427 (51%) responded to the campaign.
- 304 (71%) received Tdap immunization, with 272 (89%) returning diaries.
- Local adverse events like swelling and redness were reported by 56 HCP; no serious AEs occurred.
Conclusions:
- Achieving pertussis immunization coverage above 49% among HCP required significant, comprehensive efforts.
- The Tdap vaccine demonstrated good tolerability, and continuous information positively influenced HCP participation.
- Increased strategies are necessary to engage non-responding HCP and improve overall immunization rates.
Background And Aim:
Infection with Bordetella pertussis is most severe in young infants who frequently acquire it from adults. Pertussis immunization in adults 25-29 years of age and all adults in close contact with infants <6 months was introduced in Switzerland in 2012. We immediately implemented this new recommendation in our hospital with a vaccination campaign.
Methods:
Between April 2012 and March 2013 we provided information about the campaign to our staff through several channels and offered appointments for counseling and immunization. After checking indications and contraindications of responding health-care personnel (HCP), informed consent for tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis component (Tdap) immunization was obtained. Specific adverse events (AE) were self-assessed by standardized diaries for 7 days. Statistical analyses were performed using a t-test and Mann-Whitney U-tests SPSS (V21).
Results:
Of 852 HCP eligible for pertussis immunization, 427 (51%) responded. Of these, 72 (17%) had already received Tdap <10 years ago, 304 (71%) received Tdap now, 38 (9%) were scheduled for vaccination and 12 (3%) declined. Diaries were returned by 272 (89%) of 304 vaccinees; 56 HCP reported ≥1 local AE, most frequently local swelling (8%), redness (2%), redness and swelling (7%), and fever (5=2%); no serious AE occurred.
Conclusions:
Comprehensive efforts were needed to achieve pertussis immunization coverage of ≥49% among all HCP in our institution. Good tolerability of the vaccine and continuous and individual information to HCP about the rationale and benefits of pertussis immunization contributed to this partial success, but increased efforts are needed to mobilize non-responding HCP.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:22PPE Use in Healthcare Settings I: Donning
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...
01:28Pulmonary 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...
01:10PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...