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Abstract
Pertussis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and its incidence has been increasing in adolescents and adults over the past two decades. Waning immunity in adolescents and adults may be partially responsible. Adults can suffer significant illness from pertussis and its complications, such as pneumonia, rib fractures and syncope. Moreover, adults serve as a source of disease for infants, who are more vulnerable to severe complications and even death. The economic burden of pertussis is substantial, in terms of both medical and nonmedical costs. Fortunately, the burden of pertussis disease can now be safely and effectively reduced by vaccinating adults with tetanus–diphtheria–acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of vaccination in pregnant women and those over 65 years of age, and also to determine whether further booster doses of Tdap are needed.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
C Gidengil is supported by an Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research training grant, T32 HS000063–13. G Lee is supported by an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality grant, K-08 HS013908-01 A1. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Notes
*Precautions for pediatric DTP/DTaP but are not contraindications or precautions for Tdap vaccination in adults.
DTaP: Diphtheria–tetanus–acellular pertussis; DTP: Diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis; Td: Tetanus–dipththeria; Tdap: Tetanus–diphtheria–acellular pertussis.
Adapted from Citation[89].