AAP News Vol. 13 No. 7 July 1997, p. 19
© 1997 American Academy of Pediatrics
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Latest pertussis guidelines spur inquiries

Larry Pickering M.D., FAAP and Neal Halsey M.D., FAAP

The Academy has received a number of queries regarding pertussis immunization of infants. These queries arose after recent changes in AAP recommendations for immunization of infants against pertussis, following FDA approval of acellular pertussis vaccines (DTaP) for use in infants.1

What does the Academy recommend regarding the use of pertussis vaccines in infants?

The Academy recommends that children routinely be immunized with five doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis-containing vaccine before age 7 years, beginning at age six to eight weeks. In the United States, approved DTaP vaccines are preferred to DTwP for all doses in the immunization schedule, because DTaP has fewer side effects than whole-cell pertussis vaccine (DTwP) and high efficacy rates.