Pertussis and Adolescents:It’s Time for a Boost

A Slide Kit for School Nurses

Pertussis Facts

Also known as “whooping cough” or “100-day cough”

Highly contagious

Spread by coughing or sneezing

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Atkinson W et al, eds. 9th ed. 2006.

Pertussis Facts

Infant vaccinations do not protect for a lifetime

Almost 40% of cases reported in adolescents (10 to 19 years of age)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR. 2006;55(RR-3):1-43. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pertussis Surveillance Report—8/12/05.

Pertussis Cases Are on the Rise

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Atkinson W et al, eds. 9th ed. 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pertussis Surveillance Report—8/12/05.

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Average 1980-1990:

2,900 Cases/year

2004:

25,827 Cases

1980 2004

Year

Why Are Adolescents Getting Pertussis?

Protection from vaccination wears off after 5 to 10 years

Close contact in schools helps spread disease

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Atkinson W et al, eds. 9th ed. 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR. 2006;55(RR-3):1-43.

What Are the Symptoms of Pertussis in Adolescents?

First symptoms can be like a common cold with cough

Other symptoms may include • Coughing fits that last a long time

• Trouble breathing

• Vomiting after coughing

• Whooping sound

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Atkinson W et al, eds. 9th ed. 2006. Lee GM et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2004;39:1572-1580.

Complications of Pertussis in Adolescents

Severe coughing can cause

• Poor sleep

• Loss of bladder control

• Broken ribs

Pertussis can turn into pneumonia

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Atkinson W et al, eds. 9th ed. 2006.

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Adolescents Can Miss Many Days of School

Adolescents with pertussis miss an average of one week of school

Coughing can last an average of 106 days

Lee GM et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2004;39:1572-1580.

Missed Days of School

Range: 0.4 to 32 days

Tdap Vaccines Can Help Protect Against Three Serious Diseases

PertussisPertussis

Diphtheria Diphtheria Tetanus Tetanus

Tdap= tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine Information Statement—Interim. Tdap Vaccine. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-dtp.pdf.

Why Should Adolescents Get a Tdap Booster Shot?

Adolescents are at increased risk

Adolescents spread disease to other adolescents and to family members, including infants

Safe and effective vaccines are available

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR. 2006;55(RR-3):1-43.

When Should Adolescents Receive a Tdap Booster Shot?

11 to 12 years is the preferred age for Tdap booster

Tdap is also recommended for older adolescents (13 to 18 years of age)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR. 2006;55(RR-3):1-43. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR. 2005;54(51&52):Q1-Q4.

Summary

Pertussis cases have been going up—especially among adolescents

Pertussis spreads very easily

Protection from pertussis wears off 5 to 10 years after vaccination

A Tdap booster can help protect adolescents from pertussis

11 to 12 years is the preferred age for Tdap booster

For More Information

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist

Call your local or state health department

Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Call 1.800.232.4636

• Visit the CDC National Immunization Program Web site at www.cdc.gov/nip

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine Information Statement—Interim. Tdap Vaccine. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-dtp.pdf.

This slide presentation has been provided by GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines