My understanding is that the pertussis vaccine, by its nature, does not prevent infection at all. It inures you to the pertussis toxin, causing you to experience milder or no symptoms when you do get infected. But I must be wrong, because they push for people to handle babies to get the vaccine - wouldn't it be better for those people to feel sick, stay home, and not handle babies when they're infected? Help me understand.

Since they're finding out more and more that immunity from various vaccines wane faster than thought, why aren't adults who aren't fully up-to-date on their boosters figured into the "herd immunity" argument? I have yet to get a serious response on this anywhere I've brought it up.

They are, which is why there are, for example, very well developed campaigns to get college students caught up on their vaccines, and vaccination campaigns for certain groups at higher risk of either complications from the disease, or passing it on to others (for example, parents, and expectant mothers for certain vaccines).

Interesting. I have not seen this. Nor have I seen any vitriol whatsoever directed at these equally important members of the "herd."

Interesting. What is the rough percentage of vaccinated but vulnerable children?

Varies widely depending on what vaccine you're talking about, and in what age group.