In particular, in Greece, according to EODY data, since the beginning of 2024, 54 cases have been recorded, including 32 children and adolescents, of which 11 concern infants under the age of one. 2 deaths have been recorded, one in a newborn and one in an adult with underlying diseases.
It is pointed out that almost all deaths in European countries have been recorded in infants under three months of age.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Irini Agapidaki, issued a circular in which the pertussis vaccination recommendations from the National Immunization Committee are detailed.
Whooping cough is an acute microbial infection of the respiratory system with high transmissibility and a secondary infection rate of 80% among infected individuals.
Person-to-person transmission occurs by droplets or by direct contact with secretions from the respiratory system of sick individuals.
People with mild symptoms who do not know they have the disease can spread it.
Whooping cough can cause serious illness in people of all ages, but infants are at greatest risk of severe illness and death.
In recent months, several countries in Europe, including our country, have recorded an increase in whooping cough cases.
Protection of infants from serious illness and death is achieved through timely vaccination, which begins in the 2nd month of life and is completed according to the vaccination schedule.
In particular, the DTaP vaccine is administered during the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 15th-18th months of life and at 4-6 years, while the TdaP vaccine is administered at the age of 11-12 years, between 18-25 years and thereafter as TdaP booster dose per decade.
Pregnant women should be vaccinated in each pregnancy with a dose of Tdap or Tdap-IPV vaccine, preferably from 27 to 36 weeks of gestation, regardless of the interval between previous Td/TdaP vaccination.
Also, with the same vaccines can also be vaccinated lechoides that were not vaccinated during pregnancy.
Family members who are not fully vaccinated for whooping cough should be vaccinated at least two weeks before contact with newborns and infants.
Of particular importance is the vaccination of healthcare professionals, who should be vaccinated with a booster dose of TdaP every decade.
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#deaths #cases #months