The rise of pertussis in Malta in 2011- a case for adolescent and adult pertussis booster vaccination - Malta Medical Journal Volume 25 (2013); Issue 3

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Volume 25, Issue 3 (go to table of contents)

Original Article

The rise of pertussis in Malta in 2011- a case for adolescent and adult pertussis booster vaccination

Anthony Gatt, Alexia Bezzina, Amanda Saliba, David Pace, Victoria Farrugia Sant’Angelo

Malta Medical Journal, 2013: 3; 51

Notwithstanding the high rates of pertussis infant vaccination coverage in developed countries, Bortedella pertussis infections are manifesting a changing epidemiological pattern of disease. Of notable concern is the rise of pertussis in adolescents and adults. This changing picture is largely attributable to waning immunity after natural infection or vaccination. The belief that pertussis is chiefly a childhood disease is a common misconception. A significant rise of pertussis cases in Malta in older age groups was recorded in 2011. The addition of an adolescent and/or an adult booster dose against pertussis should be strongly considered.

Keywords:

pertussis, infant, vaccination, immunity, adults.

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