A new study… finds that immunity from the whooping cough vaccine fades sharply over time…
The current vaccine, in use since the 1990s, doesn’t protect people as long as previously believed, losing 42% of its effectiveness with each passing year…
[F]ully vaccinated children — who have received all five doses recommended by age 4 to 6 — would still be vulnerable to the disease by age 10.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reached similar conclusions, says Tom Clark, a CDC epidemiologist specializing in whooping cough…
“[T]he business of coming up with a better vaccine is not going to be a quick fix,” says Edgar Marcuse, a professor of pediatrics at Seattle Children’s Hospital. “We still don’t fully understand immunity from pertussis.”
Until researchers produce a better vaccine – with long-lasting immunity – health experts could consider changing the vaccine schedule…
There’s not much room in the current vaccine schedule to add extra shots for little kids…