Whooping cough vaccination: a review of the controversy since the 1981 DHSS report.

This article reviews the literature on the whooping cough controversy subsequent to the publication of the DHSS report in 1981. The report's reception is outlined and its influence on specific, topical issues such as contraindications, vaccine efficacy, and the calculation of 'risk' statistics is considered. The seriousness of the disease, the age of its victims and its treatment by antibiotics are also discussed with specific reference to recent epidemics. The implications of recent research findings for the continuation of the immunization programme are presented. It is concluded that the controversy continues.