Related Experiment Videos
Whooping cough: Christchurch 1982
The New Zealand Medical Journal
|September 14, 1983
Insights
Whooping cough remains a significant health issue in New Zealand. Despite immunisation, a notable number of children contracted the disease, prompting an investigation into vaccine effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Whooping cough (pertussis) presents a persistent public health challenge in New Zealand.
- Recent data indicates a substantial number of hospital admissions for this disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of whooping cough among children admitted to Christchurch Hospital.
- To analyze the immunisation status of these pediatric patients.
- To explore potential reasons for breakthrough infections in immunised children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric hospital admissions over a twelve-month period.
- Data collection on patient demographics and whooping cough diagnosis.
- Analysis of immunisation records for admitted children.
Main Results:
- Sixty-four cases of whooping cough were admitted to Christchurch Hospital's paediatric wards.
- A significant proportion, 24 patients (37.5%), were fully immunised according to the New Zealand schedule.
- This highlights a considerable rate of pertussis infection in vaccinated children.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies a concerning rate of whooping cough among immunised children in New Zealand.
- Further investigation is warranted to understand the efficacy of current pertussis vaccination schedules.
- Potential factors contributing to vaccine failure require exploration to improve public health strategies.
Abstract:
Whooping cough continues to be a major health problem in New Zealand. In a twelve month period, 64 cases were admitted to the paediatric wards of Christchurch Hospital. Of these 64 patients, 24 (37.5%) were fully immunised. The possible explanations for the large number of children contracting whooping cough, who have been immunised according to the schedule used in New Zealand, is discussed.