Although the morbidity and mortality due to pertussis has declined, 109 infants and children were diagnosed and reported to the Arkansas Department of Health with pertussis in 1990-1994. Case rates in Arkansas over this five year period were lower than national case rates (0.9/100,000 vs. 1.77/100,000; p < 0.0001) while the case fatality rates were similar. Hospitalization, admissions to the intensive care, and deaths in Arkansas were more commonly demonstrated in children < 1 year of age. Although recent data concerning the safety and efficacy of the acellular vaccines is promising, at this time the primary series should still be given with the whole-cell vaccine until more data becomes available.
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