PERTUSSIS AND COMBINED VACCINES

Key words: Combined vaccines, Pertussis, Hib, HBV

Morbility from pertussis has significantly diminished over the last few years as a consequence of immunisation. In 1997 there were no deaths due to pertussis, while in the 10 preceding years pertussis caused 47 deaths, 70% of them in children younger than 12 months. Coverage of pertussis immunisation is now satisfactory in Italy, while that for Hib is still low. 6-valent vaccines including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Hib antigens may be useful to improve the coverage.