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

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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pertussis Surveillance Report—8/12/ ,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000 20,000 22,000 24,000 26,000 Number of Reported Cases Average : 2,900 Cases/year 2004: 25,827 Cases 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 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 Lee GM et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2004;39:

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

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: Missed Days of School Range: 0.4 to 32 days

Tdap Vaccines Can Help Protect Against Three Serious Diseases Pertussis DiphtheriaTetanus Tdap= tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine Information Statement—Interim. Tdap Vaccine. Available at

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 Visit the CDC National Immunization Program Web site at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine Information Statement—Interim. Tdap Vaccine. Available at

This slide presentation has been provided by GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines