National Outbreak of Pertussis in England, 2011-2012: A Case-control Study Comparing 3-Component and 5-Component Acellular Vaccines With Whole-cell Pertussis Vaccines.

BACKGROUND: In England, acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines replaced whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccine in the primary immunization course in October 2004. Despite sustained high vaccine coverage, 10 454 cases were confirmed in England in 2011-2012, including 1648 (16%) in those aged 10-19 years. These individuals had been primed with either 3-component (aP3) or 5-component (aP5) aP vaccines or wP vaccine due to temporary supply shortages. We aimed to compare protection provided by different pertussis vaccines. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study. Individuals born between 1997 and 2005, fully vaccinated in England, were included. Cases were laboratory confirmed between January 2011 and December 2012. Controls were identified from population vaccination registers, representing 20% of the population. We compared the odds of receiving different types of vaccines in cases and controls, adjusting for year of birth and time since last vaccine received. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We analyzed 403 cases and 581 971 controls with 4 pertussis vaccines recorded. Compared to those who received 3 doses of wP for the primary course, cases had higher odds of receiving 3 doses of aP3 (OR, 3.86 [95% CI, 2.56-5.82]) but no significant association with receipt of 3 doses of aP5 (OR, 0.89 [95% CI, .29-2.73]). CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies have suggested that aP3 and aP5 vaccines provide shorter duration of protection than wP vaccine. Our findings suggest that a primary course with aP3 is associated with increased risk of confirmed pertussis compared with wP. Although follow-up was shorter for aP5 cohorts, their risk did not seem to differ from wP.

Acute mental health service use by patients with severe mental illness after discharge to primary care in South London.

BACKGROUND: To return the patients to primary care is arguably the desired service outcome for community mental health teams (CMHTs). AIMS: To assess acute mental health service use (hospitalisation or Home Treatment Team) by people with severe mental illness following discharge to primary care. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study comparing receipt and duration of acute care by 98 patients in the two years following discharge to primary care from CMHT, with a cohort of 92 patients transferred to another CMHT. RESULTS: The discharged group was significantly more stable on clinical measures. Fifty-seven (58.2%) patients were re-referred after median 39 weeks, with 35 (60.3%) in crisis. The difference in acute service use between discharged patients (27.9 days/patient) and transferred patients (31.7 days/patient) was not significant. Hospitalisation in the two years prior to discharge or transfer increased the odds of re-referral (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.44-14.55), subsequent acute service use (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03) and duration of input (0.45 extra days/patient, 95% CI 0.22-0.68). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the discharged patients were re-referred to mental health services. Although these were more stable, there was no difference from the transferred group on acute service use. Further support may be required in primary care to maintain stability.

Enhanced MERS coronavirus surveillance of travelers from the Middle East to England.

During the first year of enhanced MERS coronavirus surveillance in England, 77 persons traveling from the Middle East had acute respiratory illness and were tested for the virus. Infection was confirmed in 2 travelers with acute respiratory distress syndrome and 2 of their contacts. Patients with less severe manifestations tested negative.