Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2025
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
Published on: February 22, 2019
The ongoing challenge of prevention of pertussis in infants: what's new in 2024?
Maria Gabriella Matera1, Carlo Capristo2, Vito de Novellis1
1Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy.
Insights
Pertussis is resurging despite vaccination efforts. Strategies to combat this include strengthening maternal vaccination, ensuring infant immunization, public education, and developing more effective vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough), caused by *Bordetella pertussis*, is experiencing a resurgence globally.
- Current acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines exhibit waning immunity and limited protection for infants before primary immunization series completion.
- Vaccine hesitancy among the public and healthcare workers poses a significant challenge to achieving herd immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated overview of the challenges in preventing infant pertussis.
- To discuss potential solutions and strategies to mitigate the pertussis resurgence.
Main Methods:
- This study is a narrative review.
- It synthesizes current literature on pertussis epidemiology, vaccine efficacy, and public health challenges.
Main Results:
- Infant pertussis prevention is complex, influenced by vaccine waning, incomplete infant immunization, and gaps in maternal vaccination programs.
- Vaccine refusal and hesitancy further exacerbate the problem, hindering effective disease control.
Conclusions:
- A multifaceted approach is essential to address the pertussis resurgence.
- Key strategies include enhancing maternal vaccination, ensuring timely infant immunization, improving public health education, and investing in research for improved vaccines with longer-lasting immunity.
Introduction:
Pertussis, a respiratory disease caused primarily by Bordetella pertussis, is undergoing a resurgence despite decades of high rates of vaccination. The prevention of pertussis in infants presents several challenges, including the waning immunity of the acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine, the limited protection afforded to newborns before they complete the vaccine series, and the existence of gaps in maternal vaccination. Furthermore, the unwillingness or refusal of a considerable number of individuals, including some healthcare workers, to receive vaccinations represents another significant challenge.
Areas Covered:
This narrative review provides an updated overview of the ongoing challenge of preventing pertussis in infants and discusses some possible solutions.
Expert Opinion:
The ongoing challenge of preventing pertussis in infants is multifaceted. To address these challenging issues, a multi-pronged approach is required. This approach should be designed to address various barriers and increase uptake. It should include measures to strengthen maternal vaccination programs, ensure timely infant vaccinations, improve public education, and continue research into more effective vaccines with longer-lasting immunity.
More Related Videos
11:32Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
16:56Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
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...
01:51Vaccinations
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....
01:17Transmission-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...
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation