Vaccination in Pregnancy against Pertussis: A Consensus Statement on Behalf of the Global Pertussis Initiative

Abstract

Vaccination against pertussis in pregnancy is safe for pregnant women and newborns. Vaccination against pertussis during the second or early third trimester of pregnancy is highly protective against pertussis in young infants. Vaccination early in the third trimester versus vaccination late in the third trimester is associated with higher newborn anti-B. pertussis antibody levels. Infants whose mothers were vaccinated in pregnancy have less boosting of anti-B. pertussis antibody concentrations after their own vaccination, but this is not clinically significant. More immunogenicity and vaccine effectiveness studies are needed in countries using whole-cell pertussis vaccines. Vaccination in pregnancy induces anti-B. pertussis antibodies in breast milk. COVID-19 mitigation strategies have resulted in a significant decrease in B. pertussis circulation, which could negatively affect population immunity against B. pertussis. Highlights: Infants are at high risk for severe morbidity and mortality from pertussis disease during early infancy. Vaccination against pertussis in pregnancy has emerged as the ideal strategy to protect infants during these early, vulnerable, first months of life. On 30 November and 1 December 2021, the Global Pertussis Initiative held a meeting that aimed to discuss and review the most up-to-date scientific literature supporting vaccination against pertussis in pregnancy and outstanding scientific questions. Herein, we review the current and historically published literature and summarize the findings as consensus statements on vaccination against pertussis in pregnancy on behalf of the Global Pertussis Initiative.