Investigators: Miss Sonia McAlister, Dr. Ruth Thornton, Prof. Nicolas Wood, Prof. Elke Leuridan, Prof. Arnaud Marchant, A/ Prof. Peter Richmond
Project description
Infants < 3 months old have an increased risk of severe pertussis, ~ 50% diagnosed will be hospitalised, and 1 in 125 will die due to the infection. Maternal pertussis boosters are now recommended during every pregnancy to protect infants in the vulnerable period between birth and gaining protection through their own childhood immunisations. However, there is limited data regarding the duration and immunological impact of giving repeated pertussis vaccines during subsequent pregnancies.
The type and frequency of vaccinations can influence the quantity and quality of the antibody response induced and this may influence the level of protection achieved. Maternal antibodies have previously been shown to dampen the infants’ response to their own vaccines. Though the clinical significance of this effect is unknown, the impact of maternal boosters on infant immunity is now a major research direction for the field. It is therefore important to closely monitor the immunological impact in mothers and children, as women receive more doses into the future.
Our goal is to provide immunological data to guide the development of improved vaccines and schedules in Australia and internationally.
External collaborators
- Prof. Nicolas Wood
- Prof. Elke Leuridan
- Prof. Arnaud Marchant