Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccination for adults: an update

Abstract

Although tetanus and diphtheria have become rare in developed countries, pertussis is still endemic in some developed countries. These are vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination for adults is important to prevent the outbreak of disease. Strategies for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccines vary from country to country. Each country needs to monitor consistently epidemiology of the diseases and changes vaccination policies accordingly. Recent studies showed that tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine for adults is effective and safe to prevent pertussis disease in infants. However, vaccine coverage still remains low than expected and seroprevalence of protective antibodies levels for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis decline with aging. The importance of tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine administration should be emphasized for the protection of young adult and elderly people also, not limited to children.

Keywords: Adult; Diphtheria; Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccines; Tetanus; Whooping cough.