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Protection against pertussis by immunisation

M W McKendrick, P R Gully, A M Geddes

    British Medical Journal
    |November 22, 1980
    PubMed

    Insights

    Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination significantly reduces disease complications. Unvaccinated children experienced severe outcomes, while vaccinated children had none, indicating vaccination

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Immunology
    • Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Pertussis (whooping cough) poses a significant risk of complications in children.
    • Declining pertussis immunization rates were observed alongside decreased acceptance of other routine childhood vaccinations.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the effectiveness of pertussis vaccination in preventing complications of whooping cough.
    • To assess the safety profile of pertussis immunization.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective review of 126 children admitted with whooping cough during a 1978 epidemic.
    • Analysis of vaccination status and complication rates among admitted children.

    Main Results:

    • Only 3 of 126 children had received pertussis vaccination (partial or full); none experienced complications.
    • 66 of 123 unvaccinated children suffered one or more pertussis complications.
    • Despite declining rates, 41 of 62 children over one year had diphtheria and tetanus immunization.

    Conclusions:

    • Pertussis vaccination is effective in preventing serious complications of the disease.
    • Parental decisions to omit pertussis vaccination appear misguided given the protective benefits.
    • No firm evidence links pertussis immunization to serious adverse reactions in children without contraindications.

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