Pertussis immunisation of children with histories of neurological problems

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Abstract
The reduction in the incidence of whooping cough in Britain since the 1970s is due largely to a more effective national immunisation programme. One factor leading to this improved uptake of vaccine has been the formulation of clearer guidelines for using vaccine.1 Currently, there are three groups of children for whom pertussis immunisation might be deferred until further advice has been obtained: those whose parents or siblings have a history of idiopathic epilepsy; those with a personal history of convulsions; and those who suffered cerebral damage neonatally. This paper reports on immunisation of children from the above groups, focusing on the occurrence of serious adverse reactions within 28 days of whole cell pertussis vaccine being given (either as single antigen or combined in adsorbed triple vaccine). The subjects were referred …