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June 7, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Pertussis Cases Are on Upswing Again in U.S."

Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (06/06/02) P. B1; Chase, Marilyn

The number of cases of pertussis, better known as whooping cough, is increasing in the United States.  Cases of the bacterial infection in the United States rose from 4,600 in 1994 to 7,600 in 2001, despite the fact that over 90 percent of babies in this country are immunized against the disease.  There are a number of reasons why the disease is making a comeback.  The pertussis vaccine leaves approximately 15 percent of those vaccinated without protection.  Moreover, approximately 10 percent of people in the United States go unvaccinated for philosophical, religious, or other reasons.  Perhaps the most important reason for the upswing is the fact that the immunity granted by the vaccine wears off over time, and the U.S. government has not given approval to booster shots.  This means that people who were vaccinated against pertussis as babies could be susceptible again by the time they are in their teenage years.  However, two major vaccine manufacturers, GlaxoSmithKline and Aventis, are currently seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration for booster shots.

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