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Key Points

A pioneering study from Finland reveals significant breakthrough in protecting infants from whooping cough through maternal vaccination. Researchers demonstrated that vaccinating pregnant women can boost both quantity and quality of antibodies in newborns. The study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, shows the vaccine is safe and well-tolerated. These findings offer hope in combating a respiratory infection that claims nearly 195,000 children's lives annually worldwide.

Key Points: Pregnancy Vaccine Boosts Infant Whooping Cough Protection

  • Maternal vaccination provides critical early life protection against whooping cough
  • WHO reports 16 million annual pertussis cases globally
  • Vaccine demonstrates safety and effectiveness in infant antibody development
2 min read

Vaccine against whooping cough in pregnancy to boost antibodies, protect baby

Groundbreaking study reveals maternal vaccination strategy effectively protects newborns from potentially fatal whooping cough respiratory infection

"Pertussis-specific antibody quality and memory B-cell responses were preserved - University of Turku Research Team"

New Delhi, May 5

Vaccinating pregnant women against whooping cough can boost the quantity and quality of antibodies in the early life of infants, according to a study.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection characterised by severe coughing spells that can end in a high-pitched "whoop" when inhaling. It is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis.

Despite extensive vaccinations, the disease has resurged. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are 16 million cases annually and approximately 195,000 deaths in children globally.

Researchers at the University of Turku in Finland conducted a randomised, controlled, double-blind, phase 4 trial in Gambia to evaluate the effect of pertussis immunisation in pregnancy.

Two types of pertussis vaccines are currently used worldwide: whole-cell vaccines (wPVs) based on killed whole bacteria and acellular vaccines (aPVs) based on one to five purified bacterial antigens.

The findings, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, demonstrated that vaccinating women with diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccines in pregnancy was safe and well tolerated and boosted the quantity and quality of pertussis-specific antibodies in infants in early life.

Since the highest incidence and mortality of pertussis occur in infants, especially those too young to be vaccinated, immunisation in pregnancy (IP) is recommended to protect infants in early life against pertussis.

However, studies have shown that IP can decrease the antibody responses of infants to their primary diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccination. This phenomenon is called "blunting."

Blunting of vaccine responses has been observed in IgG-antibody concentrations to different pertussis vaccine antigens, specifically, pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, and diphtheria toxin.

"This study was designed to evaluate the effect of IP on the immunogenicity of primary acellular or whole-cell pertussis vaccines in a West African cohort," said the researchers led by Qiushui He, a Professor, at the varsity, who found the vaccine to be effective.

"Although Tdap-IPV (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, polio vaccine) was associated with relative blunting of the immune response to the DTwP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-whole-cell pertussis) primary vaccination series, pertussis-specific antibody quality and memory B-cell responses were nevertheless preserved," the team added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
This is wonderful news! In India where we have high infant mortality rates, such preventive measures can be game-changers. Our government should consider including this in the universal immunization program. 👶💉
R
Rahul M.
While the study shows promise, I'm concerned about the "blunting" effect mentioned. We need more research before implementing this widely in India. Our healthcare system is already overburdened - can we handle potential side effects?
A
Ananya S.
As a mother who lost a newborn to respiratory infection, I fully support this! The study was done in Gambia which has similar climate conditions to many parts of India. Hope our health ministry takes note. #SaveOurChildren
V
Vikram J.
Interesting research but we must remember cultural factors. Many Indian families are vaccine-hesitant, especially during pregnancy. Need awareness campaigns along with vaccine rollout. Maybe involve local ASHA workers?
S
Sunita R.
The cost factor is crucial - will this be affordable for rural mothers? Our government must ensure free vaccination like polio drops if they implement this. Health should never be a privilege!
K
Kiran P.
Good to see research focusing on maternal health. But I wonder - has anyone studied traditional Indian remedies for whooping cough? My grandmother used to give tulsi-honey mixtures that worked wonders. Modern + traditional could be best.

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