Whooping-cough admissions to a paediatric hospital over ten years. The protective value of immunisation.

188 children with pertussis were admitted to Derbyshire Children's Hospital over a period of ten years. Fewer immunised children were admitted than would be expected if immunisation were ineffective. Immunisation seemed to decrease the risk of complications and the time spent in hospital. It is suggested that pertussis immunisation is valuable and should perhaps be introduced at an earlier age than is now recommended.