MATHEMATICAL-MODELING OF PERTUSSIS EPIDEMIOLOGY

Despite multiple vaccinations of young children, pertussis (whooping c ough) has persisted in the United States. It is possible that the high levels of vaccination, have decreased the boosting of immunity by ree xposures, so that more adults are susceptible as their vaccine-induced immunity fades away. An age structured model is formulated for compar ing the current vaccination program with alternative strategies involv ing vaccinations of adolescents or young adults. The model includes pa rameters for vaccine efficacy, vaccine coverage by age group and durat ion of immunity.