PERTUSSIS OUTBREAK IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN LUDWIGSLUST, GERMANY DEMONSTRATING THE ROLE OF WANING IMMUNITY

A pertussis outbreak primarily affecting school-age children in Ludwigslust, Germany, was investigated in 2006 to estimate attack rates and relative risk of pertussis according to time since last vaccination, after a complete primary course. Results suggested waning immunity beginning similar to 5 years after the last dose of pertussis vaccination. Most cases could have been prevented by earlier booster vaccination.