Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Whooping cough also known as pertussis, is a bacterial disease that is known to have severe consequences when infants are infected. Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets and secretions. Pertussis is an human only disease, with no other reservoir, which means it can be eradicated through herd immunity and vaccinations (1).

There was a whole cell pertussis vaccine that was part of the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine. The whole cell DTP was effective protection of 70% - 90% for ten years. Though there were concerns of the side effects found in some children. This version of the vaccine is no longer available and was replaced with the acellular pertussis which is the current TDaP vaccine. There are two versions of the TDaP vaccine the pediatric one approved for children six weeks to seven years old, and the other is the adolescent adult that is approved for anyone over the age of ten. The TDaP has an vaccine efficiency rate of 80-85%. The vaccine requires a booster shot every ten years (1).

Due to the vaccine requiring a booster, which has low compliance it is harder to eradicate. Though it is possible to remove the disease from the population due through vaccination programs and having enough people comply with getting the booster shot to be over threshold needed for herd immunity (1).

(2)


¹Pinkbook. (2019, April 15). Retrieved May 7, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/pert.html   

²Sanofi Pasteur gains approval for more Tdap indications. (2019, February 17). Retrieved May 7, 2020, from https://pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/brand-marketing-communications/sanofi-pasteur-gains-approval-for-more-tdap-indications/