A Comparison of Pertussis Rates in the Northwest Territories: Pre- and Postacellular Pertussis Vaccine Introduction in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: During the past decade, a trend toward increasing cases of Bordetella pertussis in older children and adults has been witnessed in Canada. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization now recommends that the adult formulation of the acellular pertussis (adult dTap) vaccine combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids be substituted for diphtheria and tetanus toxoids alone for the 14- to 16-year-old booster dose. In October 2000, the government of the Northwest Territories was one of the first to adopt adult dTap into their territorial immunization program free of charge.