Re-emergence of pertussis in Slovenia: time to change immunization policy

Abstract

The introduction of childhood vaccination has dramatically reduced morbidity and mortality of pertussis in Slovenia. However, despite high vaccination coverage for many decades, reported incidence has increased recently, to the highest incidence of 27.5/100,000 in 2006, a 6.5-times increase in comparison to the previous year. Marked shift in age distribution among reported cases was observed in recent years. In 2006, reported age-specific incidence was relatively high in children 8-12 years old, the highest among 9 years old. Similar to other countries, where children are given pre-school boosters, we also have to consider the revision of the national vaccination policy. A booster dose at school entrance or latest at 8 years of age should be introduced to decrease the transmission of disease among school children and to further reduce the burden of disease among infants.