The Science and Fiction of Pertussis Vaccines

Commentary| December 01 1999 The Science and Fiction of Pertussis Vaccines James D. Cherry, MD; James D. Cherry, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Patrick Olin, MD Patrick Olin, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Reprint requests to (J.D.C.) UCLA School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Rm 22-442 MDCC, Los Angeles, CA 90095. Pediatrics (1999) 104 (6): 1381–1383. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.104.6.1381 Article history Received: June 01 1999 Accepted: June 11 1999 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation James D. Cherry, Patrick Olin; The Science and Fiction of Pertussis Vaccines. Pediatrics December 1999; 104 (6): 1381–1383. 10.1542/peds.104.6.1381 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP Grand RoundsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Subjects: Adolescent Health/Medicine Topics: diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccines, pertussis, pertussis vaccine, vaccines, bordetella pertussis, toxoids, toxins The last 25 years have been tumultuous in regard to immunization for the prevention of pertussis.1 Although effective vaccines became available 50 years ago, exaggerated fears as to their safety in the 1970s led to their nonuse or minimal use in many countries with resultant epidemic disease. During this same period much was learned about the organism Bordetella pertussis, and this knowledge resulted in the development and present availability of less reactogenic acellular pertussis component diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines (DTaP vaccines).2 During the 15-year period from 1980 to 1995 vast amounts of money were spent in the development and testing of DTaP vaccines. Resulting from this, DTaP vaccines are used in many countries throughout the world and 4 different DTaP vaccines are licensed in the United States. Unfortunately in the United States today there is a period of complacency and misinformation about present DTaP vaccines that... You do not currently have access to this content.