Vaccine for whooping cough in teens

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending the development of a vaccine to prevent the occurrence of pertussis (Whooping Cough) in adolescents.

They believe that the development of a vaccine is necessary to protect teens from this serious and highly contagious disease. The recommendation instigated by the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee of the FDA, has the support of the Society for Adolescent Medicine.

If approved, BoostrixTM [Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed (Tdap)] would add a pertussis component to the routine tetanus/diphtheria booster currently administered to adolescents. Vaughn I. Rickert, Psy.D.,of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, says they look forward to the anticipated approval of Boostrix for adolescents as Pertussis is a serious and growing public health threat, with outbreaks occurring nationwide,significantly impacting on teenagers' life at home and school. The U.S.does not currently have a pertussis vaccine approved for use for children seven years of age or older.

Immunity from childhood vaccination may wane after five to 10 years, and many teenagers are left susceptible to this highly contagious disease. Adolescents do not normally have the classic signs and symptoms of pertussis, the infection can go undiagnosed and may be the source of infection for infants who are too young to be fully immunized, added Dr. Rickert.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimates there were almost 20,000 pertussis cases in 2004 – the highest number of reported cases in more than 40 years. These alarming statistics, make it critical that adolescents receive extended protection against pertussis. Adding a pertussis component to the current tetanus-diphtheria booster vaccine for teens could help prevent this disease in adolescents and may help reduce the risk of transmission to the other vulnerable population, infants, concluded Dr. Rickert.