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Pertussis: what percentage of children can we immunise?
Insights
Pertussis vaccination uptake reached 84% in a UK study, despite contraindications and parental refusal. An 80% pertussis immunization rate is a realistic target for public health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination is a critical public health intervention.
- Assessing vaccination uptake requires understanding contraindications and parental decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination coverage in a UK general practice.
- To determine the impact of contraindications and parental refusal on pertussis immunization rates.
- To establish a realistic pertussis vaccine uptake target.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of immunisation records for 584 children born between 1978 and 1982.
- Analysis of contraindications based on Department of Health and Social Security guidelines.
- Examination of parental refusal rates and severe reaction incidence.
Main Results:
- 3.5% of children were excluded from pertussis vaccination due to contraindications.
- An additional 3.5% experienced severe reactions preventing course completion.
- Parental refusal for pertussis vaccination decreased from 1978-1980 to 1981-1982.
- Pertussis immunization coverage increased from 51% to 84% over the study period.
Conclusions:
- Contraindications and parental refusal present challenges to achieving universal pertussis immunization.
- Despite these challenges, pertussis vaccination uptake can significantly increase.
- An 80% pertussis vaccine uptake rate is a feasible and appropriate target for populations.
Abstract:
The immunisation records of 584 children who were born between 1978 and 1982, in a general practice of average social class distribution, were examined: 3.5% of the children would have been excluded from starting a course of vaccination including pertussis using contra-indications established by the Department of Health and Social Security. A further 3.5% had reactions to immunisation that were judged severe enough to prevent completing the course of vaccination. In 1981 and 1982 13% of parents refused pertussis vaccination, considerably fewer than from 1978 to 80. Concomitantly, immunisation against pertussis rose from 51% to 84% over the five year period. Given the incidence of contra-indications and the level of parental refusal, it is concluded that a pertussis uptake of 80% would be a reasonable target for any population.