Pertussis Vaccine: Reasonable Doubt?

Abstract

Although the massively publicized swine-influenza experience has given Americans a lesson on the fallibility of immunization policy decisions, we have been spared much of another disturbing debate now raging in Europe. Pertussis vaccine, which must be given early in the first year of life if it is to protect during the period when inflammatory airway obstruction would be most threatening, has for some time been under a cloud of suspicion in Britain and on the Continent.^{1 2 3 4} By contrast, there have been almost no reports of excessive untoward reactions in the United States. Why has the benefit/risk ratio been perceived differently . . .