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Pertussis—The Case for Universal Vaccination
Author(s) -
Rittle Chad
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2010.00249.x
Subject(s) - vaccination , medicine , medline , pediatrics , virology , political science , law
PURPOSE. Does the literature support universal vaccination of adolescents and adults, reducing disease incidence in infants and young children? DESIGN & METHODS. An extensive literature review and a meta‐analysis of four case‐control studies, evaluating effects of missed or late vaccine doses, was conducted. RESULTS. The literature confirms (a) increasing pertussis rates; (b) adults and adolescents are the primary carriers; (c) vaccine effectiveness wanes over time; and (d) pertussis persists despite disease control efforts. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Missed or late doses mean an increase in likelihood of contracting pertussis, supporting full vaccination for children and boosters for adolescents/adults.