Prevention of pertussis: from clinical trials to Real World Evidence

S Esposito1

  • 1Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy.

Insights

Strengthening pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination coverage in all age groups, including maternal vaccination during pregnancy, is crucial for preventing this widespread infectious disease. This approach protects newborns before they can be vaccinated.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Pertussis, caused by Bordetella pertussis, historically posed significant health and economic burdens, particularly for infants.
  • While whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines have reduced disease incidence, pertussis remains a prevalent vaccine-preventable illness.
  • Recent years have seen an increase in pertussis cases, highlighting ongoing challenges in disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of pertussis epidemiology and vaccine effectiveness.
  • To emphasize the necessity of updated vaccination strategies for comprehensive pertussis prevention.
  • To highlight the critical role of maternal immunization in protecting newborns.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on pertussis epidemiology, vaccine efficacy, and public health recommendations.
  • Analysis of trends in pertussis incidence and vaccine coverage.
  • Evaluation of the impact of different vaccination schedules and strategies.

Main Results:

  • Acellular pertussis vaccines demonstrate good immunogenicity and real-world effectiveness.
  • Despite vaccination efforts, pertussis incidence is increasing in some populations.
  • Maternal vaccination during the third trimester is highly effective in protecting infants.

Conclusions:

  • Enhanced and consistent vaccination coverage across all age groups is essential for controlling pertussis.
  • Booster vaccinations every 10 years are recommended for sustained immunity in adults.
  • Maternal vaccination is a key strategy to provide immediate protection to newborns against pertussis.

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