Pertussis resurgence and epidemiology of fully vaccinated cases in eastern China: evidence for vaccination timing

This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the epidemiology of pertussis based on case characteristics and vaccination history in Zhejiang Province.

We analyzed clinically diagnosed and laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases (aged 0-18 years old) reported in Zhejiang Province from January 2016 to December 2024. Vaccination history data were matched from the Zhejiang Provincial Immunization Information System.

A total of 63,664 pertussis cases were identified in Zhejiang Province, China. The annual incidence of pertussis among individuals aged 0-18 years increased gradually from 2016 (1.46/100,000) to 2023 (14.22/100,000), followed by a drastic surge to 512.56/100,000 in 2024. During the resurgence, incidence rose most substantially in kindergarten (3-6 years) and lower elementary (7-9 years) children, surpassing the incidence of infants in 2024. Among 55,968 identified pertussis cases with data on vaccination status, the proportion of fully vaccinated cases increased from 12.50% in 2016 to 79.24% in 2024. Among 43,004 fully vaccinated cases, kindergarten children accounted for the highest proportion (51.27%), followed by the lower elementary children (34.58%). Regarding infection timing, 68.4% of fully vaccinated cases occurred after 6 years old, whereas 31.6% occurred before 6. The median interval between last vaccine dose and disease onset was 61.45 months (interquartile range: 48.15-79.47 months).

Our findings underscore the critical need for booster vaccination at 4-6 years, and highlight the necessity for future research to focus on vaccine safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness in optimizing vaccination strategies.