The case for maternal vaccination against pertussis.

Despite high vaccine coverage, the incidence of pertussis is increasing in a number of countries. Particularly alarming is the increase of pertussis in infants too young to be (fully) vaccinated, because the highest morbidity and mortality is observed in this category. Maternal vaccination offers the possibility to protect infants from birth until immunity is induced by active vaccination, and has been shown to be effective and safe for tetanus over long periods of time. Maternal vaccination studies with whole-cell pertussis vaccines have not shown serious adverse effects in mother and child. In one study, protection of newborn babies was found. Additional support for the efficacy of maternal vaccination comes from studies showing that transfer of antibodies confers protection against pertussis. Maternal vaccination might be an effective way to decrease morbidity and mortality caused by pertussis in newborn babies.