Dr. Joel L. Ward and colleagues from the United States conducted a study on the pertussis vaccination program involving 2,871 healthy volunteers aged between 15 and 65.
The volunteers were divided into two groups: Group 1 received the pertussis vaccine, while Group 2 did not receive the pertussis vaccine but was vaccinated against Hepatitis A for comparison.
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Pertussis is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. |
The patients were monitored for two and a half years, with particular attention paid to symptoms of pertussis lasting five days or longer. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from patients to culture the pertussis bacteria and measure pertussis antibodies in the serum. Of the 2,871 volunteers, 1,391 received the pertussis vaccine while also receiving the Hepatitis A vaccine for comparison.
The results indicated that the pertussis vaccine is safe and effective, generating a significant amount of antibodies. The vaccine prevents pertussis in 92% of cases. In the group that did not receive the pertussis vaccine, the incidence of pertussis ranged from 0.7% to 5.7%. The incidence rate of pertussis increased over time, with 370 to 450 pertussis cases per 100,000 individuals each year. The acellular pertussis vaccine is effective in preventing the disease in both children and adults.
Pertussis is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It leads to severe coughing fits characterized by a loud “whooping” sound. Before the vaccine was available, there were approximately 5,000 to 10,000 deaths from pertussis each year in the United States alone.
Since the introduction of the vaccine, the number of pertussis-related deaths has decreased to about 30 per year. Most cases of pertussis occur in infants under one year old (40%), while older children (over 15 years) have a lower incidence (15%). When infected, patients exhibit flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, mild cough, and low-grade fever. One or two weeks later, they may experience severe coughing fits, a red face, and difficulty breathing for over a minute. After a coughing fit, a child may gasp for air or vomit.
Pertussis is highly contagious; the Bordetella pertussis bacteria are transmitted from one person to another through nasal secretions or saliva when an infected person coughs, laughs, or sneezes.
The incubation period for pertussis is typically 7 to 10 days, but it can sometimes extend to 21 days. Patients must undergo testing to culture the Bordetella pertussis bacteria from mucus or nasal secretions. Blood tests and X-rays are also required. Most cases need to be treated in a hospital due to the risk of pneumonia. Rare complications include ear infections and dehydration. Infants under six months old who contract pertussis are at a higher risk of severe outcomes, including death.
