Pertussis: still a cause of death, seven decades into vaccination
Publication Date
2014
Journal Title
Curr Opin Pediatr
Abstract
Purpose of review We review the resurgence of pertussis, including recent trends in epidemiology and reasons for the resurgence, as well as updated vaccination schedules and recommendations. Recent findings There has been a resurgence of pertussis in recent decades, in the United States and worldwide. This is a preventable cause of hospitalizations and deaths, especially among the infant population. Possible reasons for the resurgence include increased awareness via surveillance and reporting, diagnostic testing improvements, infant susceptibility coupled with exposure to infected caregivers, waning immunity despite complete vaccination, inferior long-term efficacy of acellular vaccines compared with whole-cell vaccines, circulating mutant strains of the bacterium, and parents refusing vaccination of their children. Progressively updated vaccine recommendations should be adhered to, as this is currently the only available tool to stem the public health challenge. Summary The resurgence of pertussis is a multifaceted problem, but the implementation of immunization for all age groups is of utmost importance.
Volume Number
26
Issue Number
5
Pages
597-604
Document Type
Article
EPub Date
2014/08/20
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Pediatrics
Additional Departments
Family Medicine
PMID
DOI
10.1097/mop.0000000000000139