Vaccine description | |
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Target | Whooping cough |
Vaccine type | Inactivated or subunit |
Clinical data | |
MedlinePlus | a682198 |
ATC code | |
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Identifiers | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider |
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UNII | |
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Pertussis vaccine is a vaccine that protects against whooping cough (pertussis).[1][2] There are two main types: whole-cell vaccines and acellular vaccines.[1][2] The whole-cell vaccine is about 78% effective while the acellular vaccine is 71–85% effective.[1][3] The effectiveness of the vaccines appears to decrease by between 2 and 10% per year after vaccination with a more rapid decrease with the acellular vaccines.[1] The vaccine is only available in combination with tetanus and diphtheria vaccines.[1] Pertussis vaccine is estimated to have saved over 500,000 lives in 2002.[4]
Vaccinating the mother during pregnancy may protect the baby.[1] The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all children be vaccinated for pertussis and that it be included in routine vaccinations.[1][5] Three doses starting at six weeks of age are typically recommended in young children.[1][2] Additional doses may be given to older children and adults.[1] This recommendation includes people who have HIV/AIDS.[1]
The acellular vaccines are more commonly used in the developed world due to fewer adverse effects.[1] Between 10 and 50% of people given the whole-cell vaccines develop redness at the injection site or fever.[1] Febrile seizures and long periods of crying occur in less than 1% of people.[1] With the acellular vaccines a brief period of non-serious swelling of the arm may occur.[1] Side effects with both types of vaccines, but especially the whole-cell vaccine, are less common the younger the child.[1] The whole-cell vaccines should not be used after seven years of age.[1] Serious long term neurological problems are not associated with either type.[1]
The pertussis vaccine was developed in 1926.[6] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7]