Cocooning (immunization)

This Bangladeshi infant was being immunized, but “cocooning” would also involve vaccinating the mother and other close family members

An infant has very little immunity to viruses

Cocooning, also known as the Cocoon Strategy,^[1] is a vaccination strategy that has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States since 2006. It aims to protect newborn infants from becoming infected with pertussis by administering DTaP (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis) booster vaccine to mothers, family members and any individuals who would come into regular contact with the newborn infant. By vaccinating these individuals with a pertussis booster a pool of persons is established around the newborn who are themselves protected from getting pertussis and passing it on to the young infant, thereby creating a "cocoon" of protection around the newborn. Young infants have the highest rate of pertussis; in 87-100% of all deaths caused by pertussis, the victim is an infant of less than 6 months of age.^[1]

Definition

The concept of “cocooning” is simple. A newborn baby has little if any immunity to influenza for the first 12 months of life. To ensure protection for the baby, immediate household contacts (representing its cocoon) are vaccinated against influenza so they won’t transmit the virus to the baby. The program began in July 2006 with pertussis vaccination and it now includes seasonal influenza vaccinations as well.^[2]

This medical treatment-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · edit] References ^ a b "The Cocoon Strategy - Preventing Severe and Fatal Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in Infants Through Family Immunization". Texas Children's Hospital. http://www.texaschildrens.org/carecenters/vaccine/programs.aspx.  ^ "National Influenza Vaccine Summit Newsletter - Influenza Activity Spotlights". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. November 30, 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/bulletin/2006-07/bulletin5_113006_si.htm. Retrieved 2011.  Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР Cocoonase Cocopah people Look at other dictionaries: Cocooning — This article is about the trend of staying at home. For pediatric immunization treatment, see Cocooning (immunization). Cocooning is the name given to the trend that sees individuals socializing less and retreating into their home more. The term… …   Wikipedia 2009 flu pandemic vaccine — Influenza (Flu) …   Wikipedia 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”