Pertussis primary prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Serge Korjian M.D.; Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.; Yazan Daaboul, M.D.

Overview

The primary prevention method for pertussis is vaccination using the DTaP vaccine. Five doses are recommended in children, with a booster dose recommended during adolescence/adulthood using a similar vaccine with smaller concentrations of diphtheria and pertussis toxoids known as Tdap.^[1]

Primary Prevention

Vaccines

The most effective measure for the primary prevention of pertussis is vaccination. Two vaccines are available:^[1]

DTaP

A combination of tetanus, diptheria, and acellular pertussis administered to infants and children for immunization.
A previous formulation of the vaccine, the DTP, included whole cell pertussis. The vaccine included B. pertussis bacteria that was chemically/heat treated. DTP is no longer used.
Acellular DTaP is safer as it contains smaller amounts of pertussis endotoxin and exotoxin.
Children should get 5 doses of DTaP vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages: 2, 4, 6, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.^[2]

Tdap

A booster vaccine called similar to DTaP.
The lower case d and p indicate smaller concentrations of diphtheria and pertussis toxoids.
A single dose of Tdap is recommended for people 11 through 64 years of age. ^[2]

Hygiene

Proper hygienic measures are important during outbreaks and include:^[2]
- Coughing and sneezing into a tissue or elbow
- Thoroughly washing hands with soap and water
- Using an alcohol-based sanitation fluid regularly^[2]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 MMWR. Recommendations and reports : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Recommendations and reports / Centers for Disease Control. 1997; 46(RR-7):1-25.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/dtap.html. Accessed on January 14, 2016.

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[vaccpert-1] 1.0 ^1.1 MMWR. Recommendations and reports : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Recommendations and reports / Centers for Disease Control. 1997; 46(RR-7):1-25.

[CDCVacc-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/dtap.html. Accessed on January 14, 2016.

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