Doctors emphasise the importance of pertussis vaccination during pregnancy to protect the baby.
Whooping cough is a serious disease that can cause complications in children and adults. The infection is especially dangerous for infants and toddlers with weak immune systems. It is an extremely contagious respiratory disease caused by a bacterium.
In particular, in the Lviv region, almost 500 cases of pertussis were registered in 6 months, compared to 23 in the same period in 2023. This is a 20-fold increase. There are cases in all districts of the Lviv region. This was reported by the Centre for Children’s Medicine, OKHMATDYT Hospital.
Whooping cough is easily spread from person to person, mainly by airborne droplets when coughing or sneezing. Many children who contract pertussis suffer from coughing fits for 4-8 weeks. The disease is most dangerous for infants.
In total, 4,863 cases of pertussis have been registered in Ukraine over 6 months, which is 30 times more than in the same period last year (161 cases).
“Vaccinating pregnant women and the whole family against pertussis helps to create a cocoon effect – when many people in the community are vaccinated against the disease, which reduces the spread of infection among vulnerable people, including infants and young children. You can get vaccinated from the 22nd week of pregnancy,” said Roksolana Dub, head of the clinic for early childhood diseases and rehabilitation, a paediatrician at the Centre.
According to the national vaccination schedule, children should be vaccinated against pertussis at the age of 2, 4, 6 and 18 months (four shots). Vaccines with both acellular (AaDP) and whole-cell pertussis (ACP) components can be used to vaccinate children against pertussis in the first year of life. DPT contains whole killed pertussis cells, while AaDPT contains a cell-free or acellular pertussis component. Both types of vaccines provide vaccinated children with a stable immunity against pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus.
Contacts to make an appointment for a consultation: 067 760 00 31.
Address: 31 Lysenko Street, Lviv.