Pertussis in the Netherlands: an Outbreak Despite High Levels of Immunization with Whole-Cell Vaccine

• DOI: 10.3201/eid0302.970211
• Publication Date: 2009-08-21T21:57:18Z
• Authors: H.E. de Melker; M.A.E. Conyn-van ...; H.C. Rümke; J.K. van Wijngaarden; F.R. Mooi; J.F.P. Schellekens
• Keywords: Adult; 0301 basic medicine; Adolescent; Whooping Cough; Immunology; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Algemeen onderzoek; Disease Outbreaks; 03 medical and health sciences; Humans; Geneeskunde(GENK); Child; Aged; Netherlands; Pertussis Vaccine; Econometric and Statistical Methods: General; the Netherlands; R; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Child, Preschool; Medicine; Immunization

In 1996, a sudden increase in pertussis incidence was reported in the Netherlands (2.1 per 100,000 in 1995, 18 per 100,000 in 1996). Although not all potential surveillance artifacts could be excluded, it is highly probable that the data reflect a true outbreak. However, the cause of this increase has not yet been determined. Further research is directed to the severity of disease and a possible mismatch between the vaccine and the circulating Bordetella strains.