acellular pertussis vaccine

The acellular pertussis vaccine protects against whooping cough by containing specific parts of the bacteria that cause the disease, rather than the whole bacteria itself. This approach reduces the risk of side effects while still stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight the infection. It’s typically combined with other vaccines in the DTaP shot for children and Tdap for adolescents and adults. The vaccine is effective in preventing pertussis, which causes severe coughing and breathing problems, especially in infants and vulnerable populations. Regular vaccination helps maintain community immunity and prevent outbreaks.