Acellular pertussis vaccines result in fewer side effects.

The only manufacturer of 5-component acellular pertussis combination vaccines globally

The acellular pertussis vaccine and influenza vaccine (in shot form) are examples of subunit vaccines.

Statement on Adult/Adolescent Formulation of Combined Acellular Pertussis, Tetanus, and Diphtheria Vaccine, May 2000 (archived)

77 Similar to whole cell pertussis vaccines, acellular pertussis vaccine efficacy in clinical trials was measured to be between 40 and 89 percent, depending upon the DTaP vaccine manufacturer.

Starting approximately three years after prior vaccine dose, attack rates markedly increased, suggesting inadequate protection or durabilityfrom the acellular vaccine.

Starting approximately three years after prior vaccine dose, attack rates markedly increased, suggesting inadequate protection or durability from the acellular vaccine. (source)

– Starting approximately three years after prior vaccine dose, attack rates markedly increased, suggesting inadequate protection or durability from the acellular vaccine. (source)

Starting approximately three years after prior vaccine dose, attack rates markedly increased, suggesting inadequate protection or durabilityfrom the acellular vaccine.

Starting approximately three years after prior vaccine dose, attack rates markedly increased, suggesting inadequate protection or durability from the acellular vaccine.

Starting approximately three years after prior vaccine dose, attack rates markedly increased, suggesting inadequate protection or durability from the acellular vaccine.

Vaccine Failure #12 – Unexpectedly Limited Durability of Immunity Following Acellular Pertussis Vaccination in Pre-Adolescents in a North American Outbreak (2012)

Starting approximately three years after prior vaccine dose, attack rates markedly increased, suggesting inadequate protection or durability from the acellular vaccine.

Immunisation against pertussis with an acellular pertussis vaccine for children at 3, 5, and 12 months was included in the Swedish vaccination programme in January 1996, 17 years after the withdrawal of whole cell vaccine in 1979.

With the newer acellular vaccine, this risk is now very small; nonetheless, let your physician know if your child has an underlying seizure disorder, or there is a family history of seizures.