Combining an older version of pertussis vaccine with a newer one could significantly reduce whooping cough infections and save big on hospital costs, according to findings published in JAMA Pediatrics.
Pertussis infections have been on the rise in recent years, with a record number of cases diagnosed in the U.S. in 2014, according to the authors. This is because the newer acellular vaccine, which produces fewer side effects, is also less effective at quelling the infection.
The authors suggest that until a more effective vaccine is developed, using a combined strategy that includes both the new and old vaccines will produce better results in controlling the spread of pertussis, reducing infant deaths and curbing hospitalizations.
"Although new pertussis vaccines combining the safety of [acellular pertussis vaccines] and the efficacy of [whole-cell pertussis vaccines] are in early development, such a novel vaccine is still a number of years away from regulatory approval and implementation," the authors concluded. "In the interim, switching to the combined strategy is an effective option for reducing the disease and mortality burdens of pertussis."