Artificial Intelligence in Andrology: From Semen Analysis to Image Diagnostics.

BACKGROUND

Pertussis was considered a neglected respiratory infection for decades in Korea due to the national immunization program, which includes six doses of vaccination. The final dose is administered between 11 and 12 years of age. In recent years, the number of reported pertussis cases has risen, with a rapid surge observed in 2024. This study investigates a pertussis outbreak in a middle school and explores potential reasons for the resurgence, particularly in relation to completion of the final Tdap booster dose.

METHODS

All 22 confirmed cases were investigated descriptively, and a case-control study was conducted involving 22 cases and 44 controls. Participant information, including vaccination history, was obtained through a field epidemiological investigation.

RESULTS

The epidemic curve of the 22 cases indicated a human-to-human transmission, with 16 transmission routes identified through the investigation. The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 8 days (3 to 30 days). Eight cases (36.4%) had completed all six doses of vaccination, including the final Tdap booster. In the control group, 28 out of 44 individuals (63.6%) had received the Tdap booster. A marginal statistical difference was observed between the groups (P = 0.065). Among the eight cases, the mean interval between Tdap vaccination and symptom onset was 23.1 ± 11.1 months, compared to 13.3 ± 9.0 months until the end of the outbreak for the 28 controls (P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that individuals who did not receive the Tdap booster may be more susceptible to pertussis infection. It is necessary to consider standardizing the final adolescent booster as Tdap within Korea's National Immunization Program. Health authorities should use nationwide data to address the implications of permitting both Tdap and Td as the final booster dose and resolve the inconsistencies in current guidelines. While this manuscript was under review, the guideline was updated in March 2025 to recommend Tdap, not Td, as the booster at 11-12 years of age.