Teens, adults should get pertussis booster shot –PCP

Vaccination against whooping cough or pertussis should not stop at an early age as even adolescents and adults must get a booster shot to protect themselves against the highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection, the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) said.

In its position statement amid the pertussis outbreak in some areas, the PCP emphasized that while pertussis can primarily affect infants and young children who are at risk of severe symptoms and life-threatening complications, teens and adults may also face severe illness, especially if they have preexisting health conditions and are unvaccinated.

The college thus highly recommended babies aged 1 ½, 2 ½, and 3 ½ months old to get the three-dose primary immunization series against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP).

A booster dose should be given at 12-18 months and another booster dose between 4 to 6 years old.

For adolescents who have completed the recommended childhood DTaP series, the PCP advised that they receive a single DTaP booster between 9 to 18 years old.

Adults aged 19 to 64, meanwhile, should receive a single Tdap booster instead of one tetanus-diphtheria or Td booster. Those aged 65 and older who have not previously received a Tdap booster should also get one booster dose, “particularly if contact with infants is anticipated.”

The PCP also suggested pregnant women of all ages get the Tdap vaccine, ideally in the third trimester (between 27 and 36 weeks) of each pregnancy.

The group also said that the Tdap vaccine may be administered during the first trimester among pregnant women who are particularly susceptible or have not been vaccinated previously.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), 28 new pertussis or whooping cough cases were recorded in the country from March 10 to 16, bringing the total number this year to 568.

The DOH said that the 568 pertussis cases logged from January 1 to March 16, 2024 were more than 20 times higher than the 26 recorded cases during the same period last year.

Forty deaths due to the highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection have also been reported so far.

The PCP was deeply concerned about this development, and they fully supported the DOH’s advocacy in promoting enhanced vaccination campaigns nationwide to increase vaccination coverage and protect all children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

“Studies have consistently shown that pertussis vaccine (Tdap) significantly decreases the incidence of pertussis by over 92% and decreases mortality rates by 97%. In fully vaccinated individuals, the symptoms tend to be less severe, with a reduced likelihood of experiencing prolonged coughing spells, apnea, and cyanosis,” it said.

“Extensive safety evaluations have confirmed that Tdap vaccines are safe for use in children and adults, pregnant women and seniors over the age of 65, with no unexpected safety concerns reported.”

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Tuesday said the pertussis or whooping cough outbreak appeared to be under control, with the number of cases of the disease plateauing. — DVM, GMA Integrated News