Namwon City Health Center Reports Surge in Pertussis Cases... Importance of Infant Vaccination

Published 13 Jun.2024 15:00(KST)

Namwon City Public Health Center (Director Han Yong-jae) announced on the 13th that pertussis cases are rapidly increasing among children and adolescents aged 7-19, and in some areas, outbreaks have been reported in educational facilities.

Suspect Whooping Cough Poster. [Photo by Namwon City Health Center]

This year, pertussis is spreading worldwide, with cases in countries like the United States increasing about threefold compared to the same period last year, along with a rise in deaths.

In South Korea, the pertussis vaccination rate is higher than in major developed countries, resulting in fewer infection cases among the high-risk group of infants under 1 year old (4 cases), and no deaths have been reported in the past 10 years.

However, if the number of patients continues to increase, severe complications or fatalities due to infection may occur.

Therefore, it is important for unvaccinated individuals or those who have not completed the full six-dose vaccination schedule, who are at high risk of contracting pertussis and transmitting it to friends or younger siblings, to get vaccinated promptly. Grandparents and others who care for children should also receive the pertussis vaccine (Tdap) at least two weeks before contact with the child.

Han Yong-jae, Director of Namwon City Public Health Center, stated, “The current global pertussis outbreak is expected to continue for some time due to multiple factors, including the absence of pertussis outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic, decreased vaccination rates in many countries, increased international exchanges, and advancements in PCR testing methods.”

He added, “Timely vaccination of infants under 1 year old, who are at high risk of severe progression upon infection (at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age), is most important. Additionally, do not miss the booster doses at 15-18 months, 4-6 years, and 11-12 years (4th to 6th doses).”