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Protective efficacy of a whole cell pertussis vaccine
M Blennow1, P Olin, M Granström
1Karolinska Institute, Department of Paediatrics, Sach's Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
A whole cell pertussis vaccine trial in Sweden showed 80% efficacy in preventing pertussis (whooping cough) in infants. This demonstrates the vaccine
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) remains a significant public health concern.
- Evaluating vaccine efficacy is crucial for disease prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of a plain whole cell pertussis vaccine in Swedish infants.
- To compare pertussis incidence between vaccinated and unvaccinated children.
Main Methods:
- A non-blinded trial involving 525 vaccinated infants and 615 unvaccinated controls.
- Infants received three doses of whole cell pertussis vaccine or served as controls.
- Follow-up period of 18 months to record pertussis cases.
Main Results:
- The pertussis attack rate was 1.5% in vaccinated infants versus 7.6% in unvaccinated controls.
- The vaccine demonstrated an estimated efficacy of 80% (95% CI: 58-90).
- A statistically significant reduction in pertussis cases was observed in the vaccinated group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- The plain whole cell pertussis vaccine is highly effective in preventing pertussis in infants.
- The vaccine's efficacy is comparable to findings from earlier trials.
- This study supports the continued use of whole cell pertussis vaccines for infant immunization programs.
Abstract:
A trial of the efficacy of a plain whole cell pertussis vaccine was conducted in Sweden. In this non-blinded trial 525 infants aged 2 months who were born on days with an even number received three doses of vaccine one month apart and 615 infants of the same age who were born on days with an odd number were enrolled as controls. During the 18 months of follow up there were 55 cases of pertussis. The attack rate was 1.5% (8/525) among the vaccinated children and 7.6% (47/615) among the unvaccinated children (p less than 0.001). The estimated efficacy of the vaccine was 80% (95% confidence interval 58 to 90). The estimated efficacy of pertussis vaccine was similar to that observed in British trials over 30 years ago.