Many cases of whooping cough: booster vaccination recommended for adults

Many cases of whooping cough: booster vaccination recommended for adults

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/dpa

Hanover – In view of the currently high number of whooping cough cases in Lower Saxony, the State Health Office (NLGA) advises checking vaccination status and refreshing it if necessary.

According to the authority’s data, 357 cases were reported in the past four weeks, but based on comparative values ​​from the time before Corona (2015-2019), only around 100 cases would have been expected in this period.

“Pertussis should not be taken lightly. Pertussis can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly,” said Health Minister Andreas Philippi (SPD) according to today’s statement.

Whooping cough is a very contagious infectious disease. According to the NLGA, the best protection is provided by a vaccination, which is recommended for children aged two, four and eleven months. Booster vaccinations are also provided for preschool and adolescent children. Vaccination during pregnancy also protects newborns during the first weeks of life. Adults are also advised to receive a booster vaccination. “The vaccination is well tolerated, offers the best protection and is the most effective way to stop the spread,” said Philippi.

According to information from the health department, the disease usually occurs in so-called epidemic waves every three to five years. The corona pandemic may have disrupted this rhythm and catch-up effects could therefore now also play a role.

Whooping cough, medically known as pertussis, is one of the most common respiratory infections. The typical symptom is violent coughing fits that last for several weeks. Since whooping cough can be mild in adolescents and adults, it is often not recognized, according to the Professional Association of Paediatricians (bvkj). This contributes to the disease spreading unnoticed, which poses a risk of infection, especially for infants who have not yet been fully vaccinated.

Recently, the increase in cases was more dramatic in Bavaria than in Lower Saxony. According to the Bavarian Ministry of Health, a total of 1,168 cases of whooping cough were registered in Germany’s southernmost state between the beginning of the year and May 21, 2024, 791 more than in the same period last year. © dpa/aerzteblatt.de

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