Clin Infect Dis

BackgroundIn 2012, over 48,000 pertussis cases were reported in the United States. Many cases occurred in vaccinated persons, showing that pertussis vaccination does not prevent all pertussis cases. However, pertussis vaccination may have an impact on disease severity.MethodsWe analyzed data on probable and confirmed pertussis cases reported through Enhanced Pertussis Surveillance (Emerging Infections Program Network) between 2010 and 2012. Surveillance data were collected through physician and patient interview and vaccine registries. We assessed whether having received an age-appropriate number of pertussis vaccines (AAV) (for persons aged 653 months) was associated with reduced odds of post-tussive vomiting, a marker of more clinically significant illness, or of severe pertussis (seizure, encephalopathy, pneumonia, and/or hospitalization). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsAmong 9,801 pertussis patients aged 653 months, 77.6% were AAV. AAV status was associated with a 60% reduction in odds of severe disease in children 7 months\u20136 years old in multivariable logistic regression and a 30% reduction in odds of post-tussive vomiting in persons aged 19 months\u201364 years.ConclusionsSerious pertussis symptoms and complications are less common among AAV pertussis patients, demonstrating that the positive impact of pertussis vaccination extends beyond decreasing risk of disease.CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States2018-09-01T00:00:00Z29017283PMC5755965vault:2578