Self-reported adverse events in adolescents aged 13–18 years after mass vaccination with pertussis-containing vaccine, following a school outbreak

Since mid-2011, there has been a striking increase in pertussis cases over and above the anticipated cyclical increase expected in the UK and other developed countries with sustained high childhood vaccination coverage,[1-3] predominantly affecting adolescents and young infants. The current UK vaccination schedule recommends three doses of pertussis-containing vaccine for infants aged two, three and four months and a preschool booster dose at three years and four months; [4] currently, no pertussis-containing vaccine is recommended for adolescents. The increase in pertussis observed in older age groups in a number of countries has led some to introduce an adolescent pertussis booster. The UK independent expert advisory committee on immunisation, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), is reviewing the strategies for optimizing pertussis control including the evidence for introducing an adolescent pertussis booster in the UK.