Pertussis Flashcards
Which vaccines include pertussis?
- Infanrix hexa® (6-in-1, diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, hep B, polio, haemophilus influenza B)
- Boostrix-IPV® or Repevax® (4-in-1, diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio)
What form of pertussis is contained within the pertussis vaccine?
Acellular, purified Bordatella pertussis components (NOT a live vaccine, thus can be given during pregnancy and to immunocompromised individuals)
What is the primary immunisation schedule for pertussis?
3 doses of acellular pertussis given at 1 month intervals starting at the age of 2 months
All children up to the age of 10 years should receive primary immunisation with Infanrix hexa®
When are pertussis boosters given?
3 years after completion of the primary course (ie 3 years and 4 mo) ALTHOUGH the interval can be reduced to 1 year if the primary course was delayed
What is offered to children aged 1-10 who have not yet received a pertussis-containing vaccine as part of their primary immunisation schedule?
Should be offered 1 dose of a suitable pertussis-containing vaccine; after an interval of at least 1 year, a booster dose should be given
How is pertussis immunisation managed in children over 10 years old?
Not routinely recommended after 10 years of age
What is the objective of pertussis vaccination in pregnant women?
In response to the pertussis outbreak, the UK health departments introduced a temporary programme (October 2012) to vaccinate pregnant women against pertussis, and this programme will continue until further notice.
The aim is to boost the levels of pertussis–specific antibodies that are transferred through the placenta, from the mother to the fetus, so that the newborn is protected before routine immunisation begins at 2 months of age
How are pregnant women vaccinated against pertussis?
Offered a single dose of Boostrix-IPV® or Repevax® (4-in-1) between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy (preferentially around 18-20 wks) but up to the onset of labor if they missed earlier opportunities
A single dose of acellular pertussis-containing vaccine may also be offered to new mothers, who have never previously been vaccinated against pertussis, until the child receives the first vaccination
A pregnant woman wants to know if she needs to receive a pertussis booster. She has received all her routine vaccinations and received a pertussis booster during her last pregnancy. Should she receive another booster during this pregnancy or is her previous immunisation sufficient?
women who become pregnant again should be offered vaccination during each pregnancy to maximise transplacental transfer of antibody
How should close contacts of individuals with pertussis be managed?
In addition to antibacterial prophylaxis, close contacts of cases should be offered vaccination
Unimmunised or partially immunised contacts under 10 yo should complete their vaccination against pertussis
A booster dose is recommended for contacts aged over 10 yo IF they have not received a pertussis-containing vaccine in the last 5 years or a Revaxis (diptheria, polio, tetanus) in the last month
Do local reactions contraindicate further doses of the pertussis vaccine?
No, the vaccine should not be withheld from children with a history of:
- fever, irrespective of severity;
- persistent crying or screaming for more than 3 hours;
- severe local reaction, irrespective of extent.
How should IM vaccinations be administered in patients with bleeding disorders eg hemophilia or thrombocytopenia?
Deep subcutaneous injection
