Economic burden of pertussis in children: A single-center analysis in Hangzhou, China.

The "reemergence of pertussis" has elicited international concerns, occurring paradoxically amidst the expansion of immunization programs. This study was aimed to evaluate quantitatively the economic burden and identify the determinants that influence the cost associated with treating pertussis in Chinese children. We evaluated the economic burden by Chinese children diagnosed with pertussis at the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine in 2022. Direct medical expenses and the utilization of medical resources attributed to pertussis were calculated. A generalized linear regression model was applied to analyze the determinants that were associated with the direct medical expenses among patients. Among the 1110 pertussis patients included in the study, 1060 were outpatients and 50 were inpatients. The average direct medical cost was ¥1878.70(i.e. $279.33). Living in urban areas (OR:1.27, p = .04), complications (OR:1.40, p < .001), hospitalization (OR:10.04, p < .001), and ≥ 3 medical visits (OR:3.71, p < .001) were associated with increased direct medical expenses. Having received four doses of the pertussis vaccine was associated with reduced direct medical expenses (OR:0.81, p = .04). This study underscores a substantial economic burden of pertussis in Hangzhou, with pronounced implications for patients residing in urban areas, experiencing complications, requiring hospitalization, having multiple medical consultations, or lacking comprehensive pertussis vaccination.

Pertussis vaccination in mixed markets: Recommendations from the Global Pertussis Initiative.

The Global Pertussis Initiative is an expert scientific forum that publishes consensus recommendations concerning pertussis for many regions of the world. Here, we give recommendations for the primary vaccination of infants in those countries where whole-cell pertussis (wP)- and acellular pertussis (aP)-containing combination vaccines are used in parallel. A selective literature review was performed concerning the influence on safety, immunogenicity, and effectiveness of mixing wP- and aP-containing vaccines for primary immunization of infants. In addition, local data were collected from various countries and the results discussed in a face-to-face meeting. Very few data addressing issues of mixing combination vaccines were identified, and no data were available concerning the effectiveness or duration of protection. It was also found that pharmacovigilance data are scarce or lacking in those countries where they would be needed the most. We then identified frequent problems occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where both vaccine types are used. Relying on local knowledge, we give practical recommendations for a variety of situations in different settings. Specific needs for additional data addressing these issues were also identified. International bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as vaccine producers should try to find ways to highlight the problems of mixing wP- and aP-containing combination vaccines with robust data. Countries are urged to improve on their pharmacovigilance for vaccines. For practicing physicians, our recommendations offer guidance when wP- and aP-containing vaccines are used in parallel during primary immunization.

Mandatory Vaccination in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Mandatory vaccination has been effective in maintaining high vaccination coverage in countries such as the United States. However, there are no peer-reviewed analyses of the association between mandates and both coverage and subsequent incidence of vaccine-preventable disease in Europe. METHODS: Using data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization, we evaluated the relationship between country-level mandatory vaccination policies and (1) measles and pertussis vaccine coverage and (2) the annual incidence of these diseases in 29 European countries. Multivariate negative binomial and linear regression models were used to quantify these associations. RESULTS: Mandatory vaccination was associated with a 3.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.68 to 5.74) percentage point higher prevalence of measles vaccination and a 2.14 (95% CI: 0.13 to 4.15) percentage point higher prevalence of pertussis vaccination when compared with countries that did not have mandatory vaccination. Mandatory vaccination was only associated with decreased measles incidence for countries without nonmedical exemptions (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.36). We did not find a significant association between mandatory vaccination and pertussis incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Mandatory vaccination and the magnitude of fines were associated with higher vaccination coverage. Moreover, mandatory vaccination was associated with lower measles incidence for countries with mandatory vaccination without nonmedical exemptions. These findings can inform legislative policies aimed at increasing vaccination coverage.

Assessment of IgA anti-PT and IgG anti-ACT reflex testing to improve Bordetella pertussis serodiagnosis in recently vaccinated subjects.

OBJECTIVES: Quantifying IgG antibodies to pertussis toxin (PT) is the most specific and sensitive method for the serodiagnosis of a Bordetella pertussis infection. Since PT is a component of acellular pertussis vaccines, anti-PT IgG is also induced by vaccination, precluding pertussis serodiagnosis based exclusively on anti-PT IgG in recently vaccinated subjects. Here, we aim to identify additional B. pertussis-specific serological markers that can discriminate between infection and recent vaccination. METHODS: The clinical usefulness of measuring IgA directed to the vaccine antigen PT and IgG directed to non-vaccine antigens (Fim2/3, LPS, ACT, CatACT) was evaluated in nine well characterized subject groups, aged 10-89 years (n = 390). Serum anti-PT IgG levels (>125 IU/mL) served as an indicator for a recent B. pertussis infection. Comparing symptomatic pertussis-infected subjects (n = 140) with recently vaccinated, non-infected subjects (n = 100) revealed the optimal cut-off, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity for each single parameter. RESULTS: For pertussis diagnosis in recently vaccinated subjects, the measurement of anti-PT IgA (cut-off 15 IU/mL) and anti-ACT IgG (cut-off 15 U/mL) resulted in accuracies of 95% (91.5-97.1) and 87.5% (82.7-91.1), sensitivities of 92.9% (87.4-96.0) and 83.6% (76.5-88.8) and specificities of 98% (93.0-99.4) and 93% (86.3-96.6), respectively. Comparing anti-PT IgA levels between the youngest (10-19 years, n = 38) and oldest (70-89 years, n = 17) age groups revealed an age-dependent increase in antibody levels in pertussis-infected subjects (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Reflex testing of anti-PT IgA and anti-ACT IgG improves pertussis serodiagnosis in recently vaccinated symptomatic subjects with elevated anti-PT IgG levels. Furthermore, both markers can discriminate between vaccination and recent infection in pertussis serosurveillance studies.

Timeliness and equity of infant pertussis vaccination in wales: Analysis of the three dose primary course.

Infants aged under one year are at the highest risk of severe complications or death from pertussis infection. Prompt vaccination with a three dose course at two, three and four months of age decreases the amount of time they are vulnerable following waning of maternal antibodies. In Wales, uptake of all three doses of the primary course of pertussis containing vaccine is high. However, timeliness and equity at a population level have not been previously reported. This analysis included 163,733 children born from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2017. In this cohort 87.9% received the first dose of a pertussis containing vaccine by 12 weeks of age, 87.1% had received all three doses by 24 weeks of age, and 96.3% received three doses by 52 weeks of age. Differences in uptake between those living in the most deprived and least deprived quintiles of Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) were smaller than differences in timeliness, but statistically significant. In 2017 the difference in timely uptake between those living in the most and least deprived quintiles was 4%, 5% and 7% for doses one, two and three respectively. There was a difference of 10% in the proportion of infants receiving all three primary vaccinations on time between the most and least deprived quintile of LSOAs. Consideration is needed on interventions that will help improve timeliness such as enhanced follow up of defaulters, electronic communication between primary care data systems, enhanced health visitor intervention and opportunistic vaccination in those who fail to attend scheduled vaccination appointments. There is also the need for routine monitoring of timeliness and further research into what influences delayed vaccination.

[Update on vaccines: 2018 recommendations]. / Actualización sobre vacunas: recomendaciones de 2018.

Beginning in 1974, the date on which the Expanded Program on Immunization was established in the Americas, the number of deaths and disabilities due to certain infectious diseases decreased considerably thanks to universally applied vaccines. A program that initially included four vaccines that protected against six diseases (tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio and measles) was consolidated, over the years, by incorporating new vaccines and significantly raising coverage rates. The Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría (Argentine Society of Pediatrics), as a leader of opinion, played a leading role in the incorporation of new vaccines, currently reaching one of the most complete vaccination calendars in the world, which improves the levels of inequality and inequity in public health. Taking into account the significant role of the pediatrician in decision-making, the National Committee of Infectious Diseases, together with the Subsidiary Committees, prepared a document on updates and recommendations for 2018 on Polio, Rotavirus, Pneumococcus, Meningococcus, Human Papillomavirus, Chickenpox, Flu, Dengue vaccines and Whooping Cough.

A partir del año 1974, cuando se estableció el Programa Ampliado de Inmunizaciones en las Américas, la cantidad de muertes y discapacidades por enfermedades infecciosas disminuyó de manera considerable gracias a las vacunas aplicadas. Inicialmente, se incluyeron cuatro vacunas que protegían contra seis enfermedades (tuberculosis, difteria, coqueluche, tétanos, polio y sarampión), y, a través de los años, al incorporar nuevas vacunas, aumentaron considerablemente las tasas de cobertura. La Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría tuvo un rol destacado en la incorporación de nuevas vacunas y, en la actualidad, hay uno de los calendarios de vacunación más completos del mundo, lo que permite mejorar los niveles de desigualdad e inequidad en salud pública. Teniendo en cuenta el rol que tiene el pediatra en la toma de decisiones, el Comité Nacional de Infectología, junto con comités de filiales, elaboró un documento sobre actualizaciones y recomendaciones de 2018 acerca de polio, rotavirus, neumococo, meningococo, virus del papiloma humano, varicela, gripe, dengue y coqueluche.

Determinants of influenza and pertussis vaccine uptake in pregnant women in Ireland: A cross-sectional survey in 2017/18 influenza season.

In Ireland seasonal influenza and pertussis vaccination during pregnancy is recommended and every year national campaigns are organised to raise awareness and improve uptake. We estimated influenza and pertussis vaccine uptake and identified factors associated with vaccination status in pregnant women in 2017/18. We conducted a face-to-face omnibus survey, with quota sampling, among women aged 18-55 years and collected socio-demographic characteristics, self-reported vaccination status, awareness of vaccine campaigns, and attitudes towards vaccination. Sample was weighted to ensure representativeness with the target population. We performed univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses on survey data. Overall, 241 pregnant women were enrolled. Influenza and pertussis vaccine uptake was 61.7% and 49.9%, respectively. Awareness of vaccine campaign and socio-economic status (SES) were associated with both influenza and pertussis vaccine uptake. The association between SES and uptake of vaccines differed by awareness. Women aware of the influenza vaccine campaign and with mid and low SES were less likely to be vaccinated, compared to those with high SES (aOR = 0.46; 95%CI: 0.22-0.97; aOR = 0.27; 95%CI: 0.12-0.60, respectively); women not aware of the pertussis vaccine campaign and with mid and low SES were less likely to be vaccinated, compared to those aware and with high SES (aOR = 0.15; 95%CI: 0.04-0.48; aOR = 0.05; 95%CI: 0.01-0.24, respectively). General practitioner (GP) recommendation was the main reason for receiving influenza vaccine (39.2%), and 71.8% of women were recommended pertussis vaccination from their GPs. The survey reports moderate uptake of vaccines among pregnant women, inequalities in uptake by SES and identifies GPs as primary source for vaccine recommendation. We recommend multifaceted campaigns, by engaging GPs, to target all socio-economic groups.

Paediatric hospitalizations due to whooping cough in Spain (1997-2017).

This epidemiological survey estimates the burden of whooping cough in infants up to 12 months old in Spain during a twenty-one-year period (1997-2017). The survey was conducted by reviewing data from the Spanish Surveillance System for Hospital Data. All hospitalizations due to whooping cough for infants, reported during the 1997-2017 period, were analysed. Codes were selected from the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes 033.0-033.9. To explore the latest national outbreak and the implementation of vaccination in pregnant women, analyses were stratified to compare the following periods: 1997-2010, 2011-2015 and 2016-2017. A total of 13,352 hospital discharges for whooping cough in infants up to 12 months old were reported. A total of 6850 discharges in the period 1997-2010, 5271 in the period 2011-2015 and 1231 in 2016-2017 were identified. The annual hospitalization rate prior to 2011 was 131.02 cases per 100,000 infants; in 2011-2015, the rate was significantly higher (250.13 cases per 100,000 infants) and in 2016-2017 it decreased (157.69 cases per 100,000 infants). Most of the cases (n = 11,446) occurred in infants under 4 months of age, with hospitalization rates of 328.80, 670.81 and 385.84 cases per 100,000 infants up to 4 months of age in the periods 1997-2010, 2011-2015 and 2016-17, respectively. Thirty-four deaths occurred in the period 1997-2010, 36 in the period 2011-2015 and 4 in 2016-2017. All of the deaths occurred in infants under 4 months old. The case fatality rate did not vary significantly across the study periods. Whooping cough infections concentrate in infants up to 4 months of age in Spain. Public health measures such as vaccination of pregnant women, caregivers, health care professionals and relatives, especially young parents, could reduce the hospitalization burden during the current outbreak.

The burden of pertussis in older adults: what is the role of vaccination? A systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Pertussis (whooping cough) is a vaccine-preventable disease; however, neither natural- nor vaccine-induced protection is life-long. Although generally not severe in adults, pertussis can be associated with complications in patients with chronic conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and can be readily transmitted to more vulnerable populations, including neonates before they complete their primary vaccination. Furthermore, as the global population ages, the health and economic burden of the disease is expected to rise. Areas covered: A systematic literature review was conducted to ascertain the current epidemiological and financial burden of pertussis in older adults and to discuss the potential value of a booster vaccination in this population. Expert commentary: Our review indicates a considerable underestimation of the pertussis burden amongst older adults. Seroprevalence studies consistently demonstrate that the reported incidence may be much lower than the actual incidence. Tetanus toxoid-reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccines are immunogenic in older adults, induce high booster responses and are well-tolerated. There is therefore a good rationale for the advocacy of booster pertussis vaccination throughout life to prevent pertussis infection and its transmission, especially in adults aged ≥50 years.

Strategies to improve maternal vaccination acceptance.

BACKGROUND: In England, influenza and pertussis vaccination has been recommended for all pregnant women since 2010 and 2012 respectively. However, in some areas, vaccination uptake rates have been low. A qualitative study was conducted to gain a contextualised understanding of factors influencing vaccination acceptance during pregnancy in Hackney, a borough in north-east London, UK. This paper draws on in-depth insights gained from the above study, to provide recommendations for increasing long-term maternal vaccination acceptance. METHODS: Hackney was chosen as the study site because it has one of the lowest vaccination coverage rates in pregnancy in the UK. A maximum variation sampling method was used to recruit 47 pregnant and recently pregnant women from a wide range of backgrounds, as well as ten healthcare professionals from three general practices; two community antenatal clinics; nine parent-toddler groups; and four community centres. In-depth interviews and a video-recording of a pregnant patient's consultation, explored experiences of care within the National Health Service during pregnancy, and women's views about maternal vaccination. In-depth interviews with healthcare professionals explored their views towards, and how they discuss and provide maternal vaccination. Study data were analysed both deductively, through drawing on insights from anthropological works that address diverse conceptualisations and practices around vaccination; and inductively, with a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: The findings of this study and the recommendations based on them were divided into five broad themes: access to maternal vaccination; healthcare institution rhetoric and its effect on maternal vaccination acceptance; community and family influences on maternal vaccination decisions; healthcare professionals' views towards maternal vaccination; and the influence of patient-healthcare professional relationships on maternal vaccination acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: The strategies to improve maternal vaccination acceptance recommended in this paper would engender a more open and democratised healthcare system.

Does the economic recession influence the incidence of pertussis in a cosmopolitan European city?

BACKGROUND: In the last few years, pertussis has re-emerged worldwide. The aim of this article is to study how the incidence of the disease has evolved in Barcelona city over a 16-year period, and determine which factors are associated with the evolution of the disease. We discuss the causes of the observed changes considering different possibilities such as vaccination coverage, vaccine effectiveness, increased surveillance or the effect of the current economic recession. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, observational, population-based descriptive study using data for the 2000-2015 period from the notifiable diseases register maintained by Barcelona Public Health Agency. We used Poisson regression to compute adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total of 1791 cases were registered. The incidence of the disease increased throughout the city from 2011 onwards. While children under 1 year of age had the highest-incidence and were the most at risk (aOR = 27.18, CI:23.51-31.44), we found that the age of affected children was higher in the last years. Incidence proportion (PRR) was lower among foreign-born children than native children (PRR = 0.43 CI:0.32-0.58). In the whole-cell vaccine period (2000-2004), the percentage of cases under 1 year of age who received the vaccine was lower than in 2005-2015 when the acellular vaccine was used (p = 0.01), suggesting a lower efficacy of the acellular vaccine. However, vaccination coverage in children under 6 years remained high (~ 90%), and there were no significant year-to-year variations (p = 0.757). Moreover, there did not appear to be any significant restrictions in medical care. According to the index of disposable household income (DHI), pertussis incidence increased from 2011 onwards in all neighbourhoods and remained higher in those with lower DHI. CONCLUSIONS: The noteworthy increase in pertussis incidence does not seem to be due to the economic recession, but to other factors here described.

Recommendations to control pertussis prioritized relative to economies: A Global Pertussis Initiative update.

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease that causes morbidity and mortality, particularly in infants and children <5 years of age. The Global Pertussis Initiative (GPI) recommendations represent a systematic evaluation and prioritization of strategies to prevent pertussis-related infant and child deaths, reduce global disease burden and prevent resurgence through vaccination strategies and public health policies at national, regional and local levels. The GPI recommendations are based on clinical trials and observational and surveillance data, which are essential in the planning, implementation and evaluation of vaccination practices and best use of available resources. Many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) continue to use whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines for primary vaccination, while most high-income countries have replaced wP with the less-reactogenic acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines. This present manuscript pertains to discussions held during the GPI's meeting on November 11-13, 2016, in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa. The GPI recommends that LMIC aim for high coverage of infant series pertussis vaccines as a priority. In LMIC and countries with constrained vaccine funding, if wP vaccines are currently used, wP should continue to be used. Furthermore, given that protection against disease and death due to pertussis in neonates is a key priority of the GPI, it recommends that ap immunization in pregnancy should be implemented as a priority in all countries if resources allow. Given that surveillance and epidemiology data on which to base vaccine decisions are important, the GPI also suggests that, in areas where wP vaccines are implemented, standardization and calibration of wP vaccines are checked, considering the many different manufacturers and variable standards of production and quality control. In addition, as immunity to pertussis wanes following the primary infant series of vaccination, the GPI further recommends that toddlers, adolescents, healthcare and childcare workers receive booster vaccine doses, where resources allow.

Is adding maternal vaccination to prevent whooping cough cost-effective in Australia?

Pertussis or whooping cough, a highly infectious respiratory infection, causes significant morbidity and mortality in infants. In adolescents and adults, pertussis presents with atypical symptoms often resulting in under-diagnosis and under-reporting, increasing the risk of transmission to more vulnerable groups. Maternal vaccination against pertussis protects mothers and newborns. This evaluation assessed the cost-effectiveness of adding maternal dTpa (reduced antigen diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular pertussis) vaccination to the 2016 nationally-funded pertussis program (DTPa [Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis] at 2, 4, 6, 18 months, 4 years and dTpa at 12-13 years) in Australia. A static cross-sectional population model was developed using a one-year period at steady-state. The model considered the total Australian population, stratified by age. Vaccine effectiveness against pertussis infection was assumed to be 92% in mothers and 91% in newborns, based on observational and case-control studies. The model included conservative assumptions around unreported cases. With 70% coverage, adding maternal vaccination to the existing pertussis program would prevent 8,847 pertussis cases, 422 outpatient cases, 146 hospitalizations and 0.54 deaths per year at the population level. With a 5% discount rate, 138.5 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) would be gained at an extra cost of AUS$ 4.44 million and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of AUS$ 32,065 per QALY gained. Sensitivity and scenario analyses demonstrated that outcomes were most sensitive to assumptions around vaccine effectiveness, duration of protection in mothers, and disutility of unreported cases. In conclusion, dTpa vaccination in the third trimester of pregnancy is likely to be cost-effective from a healthcare payer perspective in Australia.

Understanding the barriers to uptake of antenatal vaccination by women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: A cross-sectional study.

The role of maternal vaccination in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality is expanding but uptake remains suboptimal. While the barriers to uptake have been well described, women from minority groups have not been well represented in previous studies. In this study we examine the facilitators and barriers to uptake of antenatal vaccination by women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Melbourne, Australia. 537 women attending antenatal care completed a survey; 69% were born overseas. 63% had or intended to receive pertussis vaccine and 57% had or intended to receive influenza vaccine during their pregnancy. On multivariable analysis, predictors of uptake of pertussis vaccine were healthcare provider recommendation (OR 10, 95% CI 5-21, p < 0.001) and belief maternal pertussis vaccination is safe (OR 36, 95% CI 18-70, p < 0.001). For influenza vaccine, predictors of uptake were previous receipt of influenza vaccine (OR 8, 95% CI 5-15, p < 0.001) and healthcare provider recommendation (OR 30, 95% CI 16-56, p < 0.001). Lack of healthcare provider recommendation was the main reason for non-vaccination (17/46, 37%). While most women were aware of and intended to receive recommended vaccinations, recently arrived migrant women (resident in Australia for less than two years) were less likely to be aware of pertussis vaccine (15/22, 68% vs 452/513, 88%, p = 0.01) and less likely to believe it to be safe during pregnancy (4/22, 18% vs 299/514, 58%, p < 0.001). This highlights the important role of healthcare providers in recommending and educating women, particularly newly arrived migrant women, in their decisions about vaccination during pregnancy.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California pregnancy database: Description and proof of concept study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: We describe the establishment of a dynamic database linking mothers to newborns with the goal of studying vaccine safety in both pregnant women and their children and provide results of a study utilizing this database as a proof of concept. METHODS: All Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) live births and their mothers were eligible for inclusion in the pregnancy database. We used the medical record number (MRN), a unique identifier, to retrieve information about events that occurred during the pregnancy and at delivery and linked this same MRN to newborns for post-partum follow up. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the association between receipt of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy and fever 0-3days after the first dose of diphtheria tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine in the infant. The study included infants who were born at ⩾37weeks gestation from January 1, 2009 - October 1, 2015 and who received their first DTaP vaccine between 6 and 10weeks of age. We utilized diagnostic codes from inpatient, emergency department, outpatient clinics, and telephone calls. We identified fever using ICD 9 code 780.6, recorded temperature ⩾101 degree Fahrenheit, or parental report. RESULTS: The database contained the starting and ending date of each pregnancy and basic demographic characteristics of mothers and infants. There were 859,699 women and 873,753 children in the database as of January 2016. The proof of concept study included 148,699 infants. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, Tdap vaccination during pregnancy was not associated with infant fever 0-3daysafter first dose of DTaP (adjusted odds ratio=0.92, 95% CI 0.82-1.04). CONCLUSION: The KPNC pregnancy database can be used for studies investigating exposure during pregnancy and outcomes in mothers and/or infants, particularly monitoring vaccine safety and effectiveness.

Cost-effectiveness and programmatic benefits of maternal vaccination against pertussis in England.

BACKGROUND: Maternal pertussis immunisation was introduced during the pertussis resurgence in England in 2012 as a temporary measure to protect infants too young to be vaccinated. The programme was shown to be safe and highly effective. However, continuation of maternal vaccination as a routine programme requires a cost-effectiveness analysis. METHOD: The estimated prevented disease burden among mothers and their infants was obtained assuming 89% (95% CI: 19%-99%) vaccine efficacy for mothers and 91% (95% CI: 84%-95%) for infants. Future incidence was projected based on the disease rates in 2010-2012, including the four-year cycle of low and high incidence years. Full probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed for different scenarios. RESULTS: Assuming a vaccine coverage of 60%, there were 1650 prevented hospitalisations in infants (3.5% discounting, the first 10 years), including 55-60 deaths and ∼20,500 cases among mothers, of which around 1800 would be severe. The annual costs of the programme are £7.3 million assuming a price of £10 per dose and £9.4 million assuming £15 per dose. Using discounting of 3.5%, a 200 year time horizon and a price of £10 per dose (+£7.5 administration costs) only 25% of the iterations were below £30,000 per QALY. Using a 35% higher incidence resulted in 88% of the scenarios below this threshold. Assuming that the incidence remains at the level at the height of 2012, then the programme would be highly cost effective, with an ICER of £16,865 (£12,209-£25,976; price of £10 and 3.5%/3.5% discounting). CONCLUSION: Maternal vaccination is effective in preventing severe illness and deaths in infants but the cost-effectiveness of the programme is highly dependent on future incidence which is necessarily uncertain. However, the duration and magnitude of protection against transmission afforded by the current acellular vaccines is also uncertain as are the associated effects on future herd immunity. The direct protection offered by the maternal dose provides the only certain way of protecting vulnerable infants from birth.

Vaccine Timeliness: A Cost Analysis of the Potential Implications of Delayed Pertussis Vaccination in the US.

BACKGROUND: Pertussis infection remains an important public health problem, particularly in infants. Despite high coverage, pertussis vaccination delays can leave infants at a vulnerable age with less protection than anticipated. METHODS: Current diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) vaccination timeliness for the first 3 doses in the US was estimated using National Immunization Survey data. A Markov model estimated the potential impact on outcomes and costs of a hypothetical situation of vaccination at exactly 60, 120 and 180 days, compared with current timeliness. Incidence and unit cost data came from published sources. Age-specific incidence (for month of life) of pertussis and the associated probabilities of hospitalization and death for the US, during 2000-2007, were taken from a recently published US DTaP vaccination cost-effectiveness study. The cost analysis was conducted from the healthcare system's perspective over a 1-year time horizon. A regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors associated with vaccination delay. RESULTS: Current DTaP vaccination was estimated to be delayed by 16, 27 and 44 days, for the first, second and third doses, respectively, relative to vaccination at exactly 60, 120 and 180 days. The model estimated that vaccination at exactly age 60, 120 and 180 days could prevent approximately 278 pertussis cases, 103 hospitalizations and 1 death in infants aged <1 year in the US, gaining approximately 38 quality-adjusted life years and saving approximately $1.03 million in healthcare costs. CONCLUSIONS: Timely administration of infant pertussis vaccine doses could potentially reduce subsequent pertussis cases, hospitalizations, deaths and medical costs in infants aged <1 year in the US.

What determines uptake of pertussis vaccine in pregnancy? A cross sectional survey in an ethnically diverse population of pregnant women in London.

INTRODUCTION: Following the major outbreak of pertussis and 14 infant deaths across England in 2012, the Department of Health (DH) introduced the UK's first maternal pertussis vaccination programme. Data published by Public Health England (PHE) suggest uptake of the vaccine varies considerably across the country. The reasons for this heterogeneity need to be addressed to optimise the impact of the programme. OBJECTIVE: To assess uptake of antenatal pertussis and influenza vaccine in a leading NHS Trust in London and to explore awareness and attitudes of pregnant women towards the pertussis vaccination programme. DESIGN: A cross sectional survey was conducted in an ethnically diverse group of 200 pregnant women accessing antenatal care at Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust. Quantitative data was tabulated and content analysis was carried out on the free text. Qualitative data was divided into themes for accepting or declining the vaccine. RESULTS: Awareness of the programme was 63% (126/200) with actual uptake of the vaccine only 26.0% (52/200). Women had received information from multiple sources, primarily General Practitioners (GP) and midwives. 34.0% (68/200) of women were offered the vaccine at their GP practice, only 24% reported a meaningful discussion with their GP about it. Uptake differed by up to 15.0% between ethnicities. Qualitative data showed that uptake could be significantly enhanced if vaccination was recommended by a familiar healthcare professional. Feeling uninformed, lack of professional encouragement and uncertainties of risk and benefit of the vaccine were the greatest barriers to uptake. CONCLUSION: Vaccine uptake in this cohort of pregnant women was poor. Understanding the target audience and engaging with key groups who influence women's decision-making is essential. Knowledgeable health care professionals need to recommend the vaccine and provide accurate and timely information to increase success of this important programme.

Suffer the Infants: A Severe Case of Pertussis in Oregon, 2012.

Pertussis remains a public health concern in Oregon, especially among young infants. The disease can be severe in this age group and is associated with a high inpatient cost. This report describes an Oregon infant who was hospitalized with pertussis for 90 days, required extracorporeal oxygenation for 43 days, suffered complications including stroke, and had hospital charges totaling $1.5 million. Pertussis morbidity among young infants argues for vaccination of women during each pregnancy and of infants beginning promptly at two months of age.