New pertussis vaccination strategies beyond infancy: recommendations by the global pertussis initiative.
BACKGROUND
The Global Pertussis Initiative, an expert scientific forum, was established to address the ongoing problems associated with pertussis disease worldwide.


METHODS
The group analyzed pertussis disease trends, developed recommendations to improve disease control through expanded vaccination strategies, and proposed solutions to barriers to implementation and support of research activities.


RESULTS
Bordetella pertussis infection is endemic and continues to be a serious problem among unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated infants. In addition, the reported incidence of pertussis disease is increasing in adolescents and adults, who not only experience a considerable health burden themselves but also infect vulnerable infants.


CONCLUSIONS
Current vaccination strategies need to be reinforced. Expanded vaccination should include adding booster doses to existing childhood schedules (preschool or adolescent) and booster doses for those specific adult subgroups that have the highest risk of transmitting B. pertussis infection to infants (i.e., new parents, other contacts of newborns, and health care workers). More epidemiological studies and studies of disease transmission and the cost-effectiveness of vaccination would be valuable, and surveillance, diagnostic improvements, and educational campaigns are needed for implementation. However, as a prelude to universal adult vaccination, immediate universal adolescent vaccination should be instituted in countries in which it is economically feasible.
Forsyth
Kevin D
KD
Department of Paediatraics and Child Health, Flinders Medical Center, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. kevin.forsyth@flinders.edu.au
Campins-Marti
Magda
M
Caro
Jaime
J
Cherry
James D
JD
Greenberg
David
D
Guiso
Nicole
N
Heininger
Ulrich
U
Schellekens
Joop
J
Tan
Tina
T
von König
Carl-Heinz Wirsing
CH
Plotkin
Stanley
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001886:Bordetella pertussis; D002654:Child Care; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D010567:Pertussis Vaccine