California Department of Public Health releases recommendations in response to pertussis outbreak

Priority groups to be vaccinated include women of childbearing age and health care personnel.

In response to the current high levels of pertussis disease in California, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released a document describing pertussis vaccination recommendations.

CDPH recommends immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis for all indicated patients:

• Diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (DTaP) vaccine for those aged 6 weeks through 6 years
• Tetanus–diphtheria–pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for those 7 years or older

The agency guidance notes that “all patients without documentation of full immunization against pertussis be fully immunized at the earliest opportunity.” The priority populations to be immunized include the following:

• Women of childbearing age
• Other close contacts of infants
• Health care personnel
• Patients with wounds

CDPH notes that as of July 15, five infant deaths caused by pertussis have occurred in California in 2010. The agency therefore recommends vaccinating household contacts, health care workers, and child care workers against pertussis 2 weeks before having contact with young infants.

The document also provides information regarding vaccination interval, contraindications, and use of Tdap vaccine beyond the age groups for which it is licensed.

Posted by Joe Sheffer (jsheffer@aphanet.org)
July 20, 2010