How childhood whooping cough vaccines keep working in different kids

Doctors know kids get whooping cough vaccines early, but they still get sick sometimes. That’s why researchers tested blood from three groups of children who got different vaccine versions. Group one had an older whole-cell shot first, then two newer acellular boosters. Group two started with one acellular vaccine and got two more boosters. Group three began with a six-in-one acellular vaccine and received one booster.The scientists didn’t just count antibodies. They also checked for special T cells that release germ-fighting signals and B cells that remember pertussis. Some kids showed strong antibody levels, others had more T-cell activity, and a few had both. The results weren’t the same for everyone. One group mostly had T cells that target certain vaccine parts, while another group showed stronger antibody responses to different parts. Even though all these kids still seemed protected, their immune systems worked in different ways. The study suggests that relying only on antibody tests might miss important signs of protection. A mix of tests—antibodies plus T and B cells—gives a clearer picture of who still has strong defenses against whooping cough.