Authors:
Quinn HE, Snelling TL, Habig A, Chiu C, Spokes PJ, McIntyre PB.
Authors notes:
Pediatrics. 2014;134(4):713-720
Keywords:
Pertussis, vaccine, effectiveness, cocooning, immunisation
Abstract:
Although recommended for almost a decade, evidence for field effectiveness of vaccinating close adult contacts of newborn infants against pertussis ("cocooning") is lacking.
We evaluated the impact of a government-funded cocoon program during a pertussis epidemic in New South Wales, Australia.
Case households had fewer immunized mothers (22% vs 32%) or fathers (20% vs 31%) but were more likely to include additional and older children. After adjustment, when both parents met our definition of immunized, risk of pertussis at<4 months of age was reduced by 51%.
Maternal vaccination prepregnancy and an immunized father reduced the risk by 51%.
Timely parental pertussis boosters provided significant protection.
Evidence of protection from maternal vaccination prepregnancy is biologically plausible, and more precise data on the magnitude and duration of this is important for future policy recommendations.