Sarah Bennett
The pertussis vaccine, also known as the whooping cough vaccine, is highly effective in preventing the respiratory disease that causes violent coughing fits followed by a whoop sound. Whooping cough is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, especially in infants. The DTaP and Tdap vaccines are safe and effective in preventing pertussis, with mild and rare serious side effects. However, there have been concerns about the effectiveness of the vaccine over time due to waning immunity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness of the pertussis vaccine | 80% (95% confidence interval [CI] 71% to 86%) at 15–364 days, 84% (95% CI 77% to 89%) at 1–3 years, 62% (95% CI 42% to 75%) at 4–7 years and 41% (95% CI 0% to 66%) at 8 or more years since the last vaccination. |
| Serious adverse events | Encephalopathy and other central nervous system disorders, sudden infant death syndrome, autism, Guillain-Barre syndrome, learning disabilities, and Reye syndrome |
| Mild side effects | Body aches, nausea or vomiting, reduced appetite, pain, redness, and swelling |
| Severe side effects | Severe pain, fever above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, seizures or other nervous system diseases |
| Whooping cough vaccine protection period | Protection fades over time |
| Whooping cough vaccine protection for | Babies, children, teens, and adults |
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What You'll Learn
- Whooping cough vaccines are safe and effective for all ages
- Babies are most at risk from whooping cough and its severe complications
- Vaccines protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis
- The pertussis vaccine's effectiveness wanes over time
- Mild side effects are common but serious reactions are rare
Whooping cough vaccines are safe and effective for all ages
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause serious illness in people of all ages. It is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis and leads to violent coughing fits followed by a high-pitched "whoop" sound, fever, and apnea. While it can affect people of all ages, it is most dangerous for babies, who can develop severe complications such as pneumonia, uncontrollable shaking, or even brain damage.
To protect against whooping cough, vaccines such as DTaP and Tdap are available and recommended for people of all ages, including infants, children, adolescents, and adults. These vaccines are safe and effective at preventing whooping cough, as well as diphtheria and tetanus. DTaP vaccines are given to children under the age of 7, while Tdap vaccines are "booster" shots for preteens, teens, and adults. In children, DTaP protects about 98 out of 100 children for at least a year after the fifth shot and about 7 out of 10 children for five years after the fifth shot.
While there can be mild side effects such as body aches, nausea, and reduced appetite, most people do not experience any severe symptoms after the pertussis vaccination. More serious reactions are possible but rare. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) monitors vaccine safety and has found no unexpected health concerns related to the DTaP vaccine.
The effectiveness of the pertussis vaccine has been studied over time, with waning immunity observed as time since the last vaccination increases. However, the vaccine still provides protection and is essential in preventing serious complications, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants.
In summary, whooping cough vaccines are safe and effective for all ages. They are crucial in protecting against a serious and highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe complications, especially in infants. While mild side effects may occur, serious reactions are rare, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
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Babies are most at risk from whooping cough and its severe complications
Babies with whooping cough may develop pneumonia (a lung infection), uncontrollable shaking, or even brain damage. Complications are usually most severe in babies under 12 months old, and infants younger than 6 months are at the highest risk of other health conditions due to whooping cough. They are also more likely to be hospitalized or face severe complications and death from the illness.
Before the vaccine for pertussis was introduced, whooping cough was considered a childhood disease. Now, the illness primarily affects children who are too young to have received all their vaccine doses. Babies who are too young to be vaccinated are at a very high risk of contracting pertussis, often from an adult.
The best way to prevent whooping cough is through the pertussis vaccine, which is highly effective and recommended for all infants, children, adolescents, and adults. The vaccine is typically administered as a series of five shots, with the first three given at ages 2, 4, and 6 months, the fourth between 15 and 18 months, and the fifth when the child enters school at ages 4 to 6 years. Pregnant women should also receive the vaccine to help protect their babies.
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Vaccines protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis
Vaccines are available to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). All infants, children, adolescents, and adults should get vaccinated.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the nose and mouth. Tetanus is a bacterial infection of the central nervous system. Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes violent coughing fits followed by a high-pitched "whoop," fever, and apnea (stops and starts in breathing). It can be very dangerous for infants and babies, who may develop pneumonia, uncontrollable shaking, or even brain damage.
There are two types of vaccines that protect against these diseases: DTaP and Tdap. DTaP vaccines (e.g., Daptacel®, Quadracel®, and Vaxelis®) are given to children under the age of seven. Tdap vaccines (e.g., Adacel® and Boostrix®) are "booster" shots for preteens, teens, and adults. Both vaccines are safe and effective, and the CDC recommends them for everyone.
The vaccines are not 100% effective, and protection fades over time. A study in Ontario, Canada, found that the incidence of pertussis decreased after the introduction of vaccines but increased in 2012, with an outbreak in a largely unvaccinated community. Another study found that vaccine effectiveness was 80% at 15-364 days, 84% at 1-3 years, 62% at 4-7 years, and 41% at 8 or more years since the last vaccination.
While vaccines can have side effects, most are mild and go away on their own. More serious reactions are possible but much less common.
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The pertussis vaccine's effectiveness wanes over time
The pertussis vaccine is highly effective when people receive all the recommended doses. In children, the DTaP vaccine protects about 98 out of 100 children for at least a year after the fifth shot, about 7 out of 10 children for five years after the fifth shot, and about 7 in 10 people for the first year after the shot.
However, the effectiveness of the pertussis vaccine wanes over time. A study found that the adjusted vaccine effectiveness was 80% at 15–364 days, 84% at 1–3 years, 62% at 4–7 years, and 41% at 8 or more years since the last vaccination. The odds of developing pertussis increased by 27% per year since the last vaccination.
Another study observed the incidence of pertussis in Canada, which decreased from 156 cases per 100,000 people during the pre-vaccination era to a historic low of 2.0 per 100,000 in 2011. However, it increased to 13.9 in 2012 and then decreased to 3.6 in 2013. A localized outbreak in Ontario, Canada, in 2012 raised questions about vaccine effectiveness and waning immunity.
The CDC recommends a single dose of the Tdap vaccine for adults who have never received it. While immunity to pertussis wanes after a few years, there is no recommendation to administer booster doses to maintain protection. However, adults do need booster doses every 10 years to maintain protection against tetanus and diphtheria.
While the pertussis vaccine is generally safe and effective, there is a chance of side effects, as with any medicine. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days. Serious reactions are possible but much less common.
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Mild side effects are common but serious reactions are rare
The pertussis vaccine, also known as the whooping cough vaccine, is highly recommended for people of all ages, especially babies, to prevent them from contracting the respiratory disease. The vaccine is safe and effective, and most people do not experience any severe symptoms after vaccination.
While mild side effects are common, serious reactions are rare. Mild side effects include body aches, nausea or vomiting, swelling, pain or redness at the injection site, and reduced appetite. These side effects typically go away on their own within a few days and do not require medical attention.
In rare cases, more serious reactions can occur, such as swelling of the entire arm or leg, but this is usually observed in older children receiving their fourth or fifth shot. Other serious adverse events that have been associated with the pertussis vaccine include encephalopathy and other central nervous system disorders, sudden infant death syndrome, autism, Guillain-Barre syndrome, learning disabilities, and Reye syndrome.
The effectiveness of the pertussis vaccine has been studied extensively, with waning immunity observed over time. The vaccine's effectiveness is highest in the first year after vaccination, ranging from 80% to 98% protection, and gradually decreases in subsequent years. However, even with waning immunity, the vaccine continues to offer some protection against pertussis, and booster shots are recommended to maintain immunity.
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Frequently asked questions
The pertussis vaccine, or whooping cough vaccine, protects people, especially babies, from catching pertussis. Whooping cough can be very dangerous for infants and can lead to severe complications.
Most people who get a vaccine that helps protect against whooping cough don't have any severe symptoms. Mild side effects usually go away on their own within a few days but serious reactions are possible. These can include swelling of the entire arm or leg, usually in older children when they receive their fourth or fifth shot.
The pertussis vaccine is highly effective when people get all the recommended doses. In children, DTaP protects about 98 out of 100 children for at least a year after the fifth shot, about 7 out of 10 children for five years after the fifth shot, and about 7 in 10 people for the first year after the shot. However, protection fades over time.
