Pertussis Resurgence and Vaccine Uptake: Implications for Reducing Vaccine Hesitancy

• vaccine hesitancy
• vaccine refusal
• pertussis
• epidemic
• outbreak
• resurgence
• vaccines

Previously controlled vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) are in resurgence.^1,2 To date, there have been 477 confirmed measles cases in the United States in 2014, the most in 18 years.³ In 2013 there were ∼25 000 pertussis cases in the United States. Vaccine refusal has been associated with outbreaks of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease,⁴ varicella,⁵ pneumococcal disease,⁶ measles,⁷ and pertussis.^8–12

Even while national and statewide immunization coverage remain high, rates of parents who refuse vaccines via nonmedical exemptions (NMEs) to school immunization requirements have been increasing.^13,14 Furthermore, NMEs cluster geographically,^9,10 leading to critical reductions in herd immunity and a perfect storm for sustained transmission, outbreaks, and increased risk of VPDs to both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals.^7,9,10,15,16

Beyond active refusal, many parents are delaying vaccines and using “alternative immunization schedules” to spread out the number of vaccines given per visit or in infancy.¹⁷ Seventy-seven percent of parents of young children report concerns about vaccines, such as the number of vaccines or doses given simultaneously or before age two, what ingredients are contained in vaccines, or if there are associations with adverse outcomes such as autism and other chronic diseases.¹⁸ Some have gone so far as to identify a “vaccine crisis in confidence.”^19–21

Parental vaccine …

Address correspondence to Jessica Atwell, MPH, 615 North Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205. E-mail: jatwell5{at}jhu.edu