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Pertussis vaccines: past, present and future in Australia
P McIntyre1, J Forrest, T Heath
1National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Westmead, New South Wales.
Communicable Diseases Intelligence
|July 31, 1998
Summary
A workshop reviewed pertussis vaccines for Australia, recommending acellular pertussis vaccines (DTPa) for childhood immunisation schedules based on efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The evaluation considered comparative efficacy, adverse events, and community benefits.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- A 1997 workshop addressed pertussis vaccine use and Australian immunisation schedules.
- Discussions covered whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccine history, efficacy, and reactogenicity.
Framework:
- The National Health and Medical Research Council prefers acellular pertussis vaccines for primary and booster childhood doses.
- A 3-component acellular vaccine (DTPa) was licensed in Australia for the entire childhood schedule.
Implementation:
- The DTPa vaccine was the first to undergo cost-effectiveness evaluation under new funding arrangements.
- Evaluation criteria included comparative efficacy, adverse events, and compliance.
Implications:
- The evaluation considered both individual and community benefits of pertussis vaccination.
- Findings inform optimal pertussis vaccine strategies within the Australian immunisation schedule.