1. 25/8/2012 PERTUSSIS VACCINE FOR ADOLESCENTS CAN WE AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT? YASH PAUL JAIPUR

2. Studies should be done on Indian children to evaluate antibodies against Pertussis and Diphtheria around 10 years of age to find if the adolescents in India would need dT or the new vaccine with Pertussis and Diphtheria components in reduced quantity with normal quantity of Tetanus toxoid be made available Paul Y, Marwah P. Immunization in Adolescents.In: recent Advances in Pediatrics,special volume 17, Adolescence eds Gupte S, Bhave SY. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publisher (P) Ltd, New Delhi 2006;356-370

3. There is no reason to believe that the disease burden of Pertussis is low in adolescents in India: A safe and efficacious vaccine is available. IAP therefore recommends offering Tdap vaccine instead of Td/TT vaccine in all children/ adolescents who can afford to use the vaccine. IAP consensus Recommendations on Immunization, 2008;IAPCOI. Indian Pediatr 2008;45: 635-648

4. Adolescents and young adults from economically weaker section More prone to infection because of over crowding Cannot afford Tdap Spread infection before developing signs and symptoms Majority of Domestic Helps come from this section Neonates are susceptible to Pertussis infection Neonates cannot be administered DPT or DaPT

5. OPTIONS Tdap to pregnant women Acellular Pertussis vaccine to neonates- not available in India Tdwp to adolescents and young adults. Safety for neonates, elderly population also