Miscellaneous

Question 1

> What age child is particularly at risk for Pertussis and Pertussis related death?

> What can be done to prevent Pertussis in children?

Answer 1

Infants younger than 12 months have the highest incidence of pertussis and pertussis-related complications, including death. In a large case control study, having received ≥1 dose of pertussis vaccine was associated with a 72 percent reduction in the risk of death and a 31 percent reduction in the risk of hospitalization in infants ≥6 weeks of age (the minimum age for the first dose of pertussis vaccine) [61]. However, 64 percent of the deaths occurred in infants younger than six weeks. These findings highlight the importance of timely pertussis immunization for infants, as well as maternal immunization during pregnancy and immunization of the infant’s close contacts, as recommended by the Global Pertussis Initiative