Findings in a recent research commissioned by Australian researchers have proposed that although new version of whooping cough vaccine provides the patient with less protection, it is safer than its older counterpart.

The study considered immunization and disease records of Queensland. All those born in 1998 and after, were vaccinated with the new version; almost 40,000 children were registered. Those were given the acellular pertussis vaccine, which was introduced in 1998, as chances of getting infected by whooping cough was two to three times more than those vaccinated with older whole-cell vaccine.

The study which has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association emphasized that it was being expected that there would be some difference in the effectiveness provided by both the vaccines. However, the results obtained amazed the team of researchers.

Co-author Associate Professor Stephen Lambert highlighted that the statistical records suggested that the whole cell vaccine was more defensive than the acellular vaccine.

Lambert stressed: "The acellular vaccinated children who do contract whooping cough get a milder, shorter illness, are less likely to transmit the infection to others and less likely to end up in hospital".

On the other hand, whole cell vaccine despite being protective had more side-effects, including headaches, fever, in comparison to the newer one.