Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

------------------------------------------------------------

June 12, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Whooping Cough on Rise; Vaccine Waning Over Time"

American Medical News (www.amednews.com) (05/27/02) Vol. 45, No. 20, P. 27; Elliott, Victoria Stagg

Whooping cough is making a comeback, report public health officials around the world, with state health officials in the United States warning that the incidence peaks for the whooping cough cycle keep getting higher and researchers saying that several European nations are seeing increases in the disease as well.  Some officials think that the surge is due more to an increase in awareness than an actual increase in disease.  In addition, some scientists think that the bacterium may becoming stronger and able to evade the vaccine, although there is little evidence to support that theory, while others believe that the bacterium's high contagion ability and weaknesses in the vaccine may be the problem, since the vaccine's protection drops over time.  Texas Department of Health immunization division director Jan Pelosi says that the department's reporting system has not changed, yet the peaks in the cycle continue to climb.  Possible ways to increase control of the infection include vaccinating adults and adolescents, particularly since some outbreaks begin in those groups, but the vaccine is only approved for use in those under age seven.  Trials are ongoing to determine whether the vaccine's benefit to those groups is greater than the risk of adverse reactions.  Meanwhile, there is a shortage of the vaccine, expected to continue until the end of the year, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommend deferring the last two doses of the five-dose vaccine series until there are enough supplies.

Vaccination News Home Page

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.