Immunisations: pertussis

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly infectious bacterial disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. It is spread by droplet infection, and has an incubation period of seven to ten days. The most recognisable symptom is an irritating cough that develops into coughing fits. In young infants, the characteristic 'whoop' may never develop and coughing spasms may be followed by periods of apnoea (breathing difficulty). Immunisation for pertussis was introduced in the 1950s (see Health Scotland for specific vaccines and immunisation timetable).

At a Scotland level, current quarterly uptakes at 12 and 24 months (period ending 30 June 2006) for Pertussis stand at 96.5% and 97.7% respectively.

Direct links to the relevant tables and charts, on the Child Health section of the ISD website, are provided below:

• Childhood immunisation uptake rates for Pertussis: up to 31st December 2006 for Scotland and by Health Board
• Childhood immunisation quarterly uptake rates and uptake rates by calendar year (January to December 2006) by Community Health Partnership
• Time trends for Scotland and NHS Board

Information on the incidence of Pertussis is available from the HPS website.