Memory-immuniteit tegen kinkhoest: Waarom is onderzoek naar het effect van kinkhoestvaccinatie op de langetermijnbescherming van belang?

Despite the high vaccination coverage, the incidence of whooping cough shows an epidemical rise every three years in the Netherlands since 1996. After the introduction of the acellular booster at the age of 4 in 2001, the age peak of the incidence of whooping cough has moved. This clearly illustrates the effect of the short term immunity after vaccination; however, the long term immunity is still largely unknown. In 2005 the acellular pertussis vaccination has replaced the whole cell vaccination. In the so-called MEMORY study, several immunological parameters, e.g. antibodies, memory B-cells and T-cells will be investigated in Dutch children who are vaccinated according to the Dutch National Vaccination Programme. The aim of the MEMORY study is to gain insight into the long term immunity against pertussis. A comparison between whole cell and acellular vaccination will be made.