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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Pertussis primary prevention

Introduction

Overview

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

Primary Prevention

Vaccines

  • 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]
  • 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

References

  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.
  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.

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.