Pertussis in adolescents and its prevention using Tdap vaccination.

In industrialized nations, routine use of pertussis vaccines has shifted the burden of pertussis disease from middle childhood to one primarily affecting young infants, adolescents, and adults. Although generally not as severe as observed in infants, pertussis in adolescents and adults can be serious, and these older age groups are often the reservoir of infection for infants. With recognition of the increasing incidence of pertussis in older individuals, reduced-dose acellular pertussis vaccines combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (Tdap) were developed for use in adolescents and adults.

Shift in the epidemiology of pertussis infection: an indication for pertussis vaccine boosters for adults?

Pertussis vaccination of young children has been effective in reducing the overall disease burden due to Bordetella pertussis in many countries. However, the disease has not been eliminated, although humans are the only known host of this pathogen. In fact, in some countries, the number of reported cases has increased dramatically from their nadir and epidemics routinely occur.

Safety and immunogenicity of haemophilus influenzae type B polysaccharide or conjugate vaccines in an elderly adult population.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of unconjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) polysaccharide (PRP) vaccine and two PRP-protein-conjugated vaccines as a model for the comparison of protein-conjugated versus plain polysaccharide vaccines in the elderly.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, prospective study.

Setting: University-based center for vaccine research and development.