PEDIATRICS Vol. 64 No. 3 September 1979, pp. 387-388
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Simon, F. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Simon, F. A.

Pertussis Immunization

Frank A. Simon MD1

1 Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, PO Box 20708, Houston, TX 77028

The attempt by Drs Barkin and Pichichero to evaluate the reactions associated with routine diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) immunizations is quite commendable (Pediatrics 63:256, 1979). It has become increasingly appropriate to reevaluate such "routine" procedures in order to balance the benefits and risks associated with them and to revise our practices accordingly. The altered recommendations for smallpox vaccination is an ideal example.1 This type of study must also serve as a stimulus to improve the ratio of advantages to disadvantages in a procedure as can be accomplished by the development of a better immunization.