16th Sep 2014
Sunalie Silva all articles by this author
INFANTS younger than four months whose parents have both been immunised against pertussis have the greatest chance of avoiding infection with the disease, Australian researchers say.
Protection was greatest when both parents had been vaccinated at least four weeks before their child was born, according to the investigators.
The vaccine is funded on the National Immunisation Program in a three-dose schedule for infants at two, four and six months of age, with a booster at four and at 10–15 years.
In 2009 the government funded the vaccine free of charge to mothers, fathers, grandparents and other close relatives of infants younger than 12 months following an outbreak of infant pertussis.
But the program was discontinued in 2012 after health authorities reported that the epidemic was waning and amid new evidence emerging that maternal vaccination pre-pregnancy offered greatest protection.
However, data published this week showed that vaccinating a mother before pregnancy and vaccinating a father at least four weeks before a baby was born reduced the risk of a baby being infected with pertussis by 51%.
The study of 217 NSW cases of infants aged four months or younger who contracted pertussis found 14% of the mothers were vaccinated before delivery, compared with 26% of 585 case-matched controls.
When both parents were immunised at least four weeks before their child’s birth, the risk of infection before four months was reduced by 51% compared to vaccinating neither parent.
The study didn’t find any additional impact of father and grandparent vaccination after accounting for maternal vaccination status however vaccination status of older siblings was a significant risk factor for infant pertussis, highlighting the importance of kids getting their booster vaccinations on time.
Dr Helen Quinn, a research fellow at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance where the study was conducted, said the findings provide evidence that cocooning does work and supports a push for fathers to be vaccinated, even though pre-pregnant maternal vaccination is increasingly being accepted as safe and the most effective way of preventing infant pertussis.
“Clearly the current evidence suggests you get higher efficacy with pre-pregnancy maternal vaccination but even in states where this strategy is funded our study shows that fathers should also go along and get vaccinated.”
In July this year Qld Health began funding the vaccine for women in their third trimester of pregnancy.
WA Health said it is continuing to assess the evidence for the effectiveness of pertussis vaccination in pregnant women and “is actively considering implementing such a strategy”, while NSW Health and SA Health said they would closely monitor the Queensland program.
Pediatrics 2014; online 15 Sept
The vaccine is funded on the National Immunisation Program in a three-dose schedule for infants at two, four and six months of age, with a booster at four and at 10–15 years.
In 2009 the government funded the vaccine free of charge to mothers, fathers, grandparents and other close relatives of infants younger than 12 months following an outbreak of infant pertussis.
But the program was discontinued in 2012 after health authorities reported that the epidemic was waning and amid new evidence emerging that maternal vaccination pre-pregnancy offered greatest protection.
However, data published this week showed that vaccinating a mother before pregnancy and vaccinating a father at least four weeks before a baby was born reduced the risk of a baby being infected with pertussis by 51%.
The study of 217 NSW cases of infants aged four months or younger who contracted pertussis found 14% of the mothers were vaccinated before delivery, compared with 26% of 585 case-matched controls.
When both parents were immunised at least four weeks before their child’s birth, the risk of infection before four months was reduced by 51% compared to vaccinating neither parent.
The study didn’t find any additional impact of father and grandparent vaccination after accounting for maternal vaccination status however vaccination status of older siblings was a significant risk factor for infant pertussis, highlighting the importance of kids getting their booster vaccinations on time.
Dr Helen Quinn, a research fellow at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance where the study was conducted, said the findings provide evidence that cocooning does work and supports a push for fathers to be vaccinated, even though pre-pregnant maternal vaccination is increasingly being accepted as safe and the most effective way of preventing infant pertussis.
“Clearly the current evidence suggests you get higher efficacy with pre-pregnancy maternal vaccination but even in states where this strategy is funded our study shows that fathers should also go along and get vaccinated.”
In July this year Qld Health began funding the vaccine for women in their third trimester of pregnancy.
WA Health said it is continuing to assess the evidence for the effectiveness of pertussis vaccination in pregnant women and “is actively considering implementing such a strategy”, while NSW Health and SA Health said they would closely monitor the Queensland program.
Pediatrics 2014; online 15 Sept
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