Reemergence of Pertussis in the Highly Vaccinated Population of The Netherlands: Observations on Surveillance Data

• DOI: 10.3201/eid0604.000404
• Publication Date: 2009-09-01T18:36:35Z
• Authors: Hester E. de Melker; J.F.P. Schellekens; S.E. Neppelenbroek; F.R. Mooi; H.C. Rümke; M.A.E. Conyn-van ...
• Keywords: Whooping cough; Pertussis vaccine

We analyzed pertussis reporting, death, hospitalization, and serodiagnostic data from 1976 to 1998 help explain the cause of 1996 outbreak in Netherlands. The unexpected was detected by an increase reporting other surveillance methods. In 1996, according serologic data, incidence among (mostly unvaccinated) children less than 1 year age similar hospital admissions. Among older vaccinated) persons, admissions relatively small. higher vaccinated unvaccinated persons all ages. This resulted lower estimates vaccine effectiveness. proportion infections resulting recognizable symptoms may have increased because a mismatch strain circulating Bordetella strains. small immunogenicity profile Dutch greater vulnerability antigenic changes B. pertussis.