In clinical trials, this new acellular pertussis DTP was shown to be associated with a reduced incidence of fever, redness, swelling and tenderness at the injection sight. Vaccines are one of the nation's most cost effective health practices, but according to a recent survey of large U.S. cities, only 40 to 60 percent of children are fully immunized by the time of their second birthday. The rest remain at least partially vulnerable to disability, retardation and even death from diseases like meningitis, measles, and pertussis, which are readily preventable through vaccination. Because the new acellular pertussis vaccine is associated with less fever and fewer local reactions, it may be more acceptable to people who might otherwise avoid vaccination. Thus, its introduction should help increase the proportion of American children who receive their complete series of immunizations.
Whooping cough is a highly communicable disease of the respiratory tract.
As many as 4,200 cases of pertussis have been reported yearly in the United States and outbreaks still occur. This new acellular component of the vaccine is being produced by the Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University, Japan. It is combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids by Connaught, Laboratories, Inc., Swiftwater, Pa., and will be sold under the trade name, Tripedia.