Adacel is released following a decision by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to recommend that such a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster is given to all adolescents in the US. The recommendation will address the problem of pertussis immunity wearing off after early childhood vaccinations.
The number of reported cases of pertussis continues to rise across the US, raising concern in the public health and medical communities. At particular risk are newborns who have not yet been fully vaccinated against pertussis, are more vulnerable to severe pertussis, and face the possibility of serious complications and even death. Over the last decade, 80% of pertussis deaths have occurred in infants under six months of age.
The vaccine was licensed by the FDA on June 10, 2005, and is already licensed in Canada and Germany.