May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Children's Health Pertussis in Vaccinated Children
Pertussis in Vaccinated Children |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: How often are vaccinated children affected by pertussis? My 7 yr old twins had all five shots and yesterday were diagnosed with it. Dear William: Unfortunately immunity following disease or vaccination is not granted for life in Pertusis. Despite the effectiveness of vaccination, pertussis continues to occur in the United States among all age groups. Anyone who has not had pertussis previously or who has not received the pertussis vaccine can get the disease with more chances than people who had received it. Older children, adolescents and adults can become susceptible to pertussis five-to 10-years after their last dose of pertussis-containing vaccine. The DTaP vaccine is 95% effective in preventing all three diseases that it immunizes against—diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. It is 59-89% effective in preventing pertussis, while the protection rates for diphtheria and tetanus are higher. Pertussis occasionally occurs in children who have received the pertussis immunization, but it is less severe and has fewer complications. Let me reassure you that having the vaccination would greatly decrease the impact of the condition and decrease tremendously the possible complications. I wish them a prompt recovery.
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 July 2010 ) |
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