Epidemiology of pertussis in Hungary

Abstract

Reliable data in Hungary on the incidence of pertussis have been available since the introduction in 1931 of obligatory notification. Immunization against pertussis was introduced compulsorily in 1953 with a combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine. Since that time the method of preparation, quality and quantity of the vaccine as well as its immunization schedule underwent several important modifications. As a result of vaccination the incidence of pertussis dropped from 56.967 cases (594.4 per 100,000 inhabitants) in 1953 to 16 cases (0.2 per 100,000 inhabitants) in 1989.