The Ministry of Health is taking measures against whooping cough. This was stated by the line minister, Dr. Galya Kondeva, at a briefing in the Council of Ministers. These include earlier immunization of babies, provision of free vaccinations for pregnant women in the third trimester and expansion of the scope of testing against the disease, cited by the press center of the Ministry of Health.
“The cases of whooping cough registered so far in the country already exceed 500 compared to 4 for the same period last year. This clearly shows a trend of epidemic spread,” Minister Kondeva pointed out.
Children are the most affected by the disease. They are over 90% of all reported cases. Among them, as a group at risk of complications and hospitalization, are children up to 1 year old, 84% of whom are not immunized, due to underage or another reason.
In this regard, the Immunization Calendar of the Republic of Bulgaria will be updated, allowing the basic scheduled immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type B infections and hepatitis B in newborns to start earlier, namely from 6 that week. This is absolutely safe and is a practice in a number of countries. Observations show that after placing the first dose of vaccine in children, immunity is created in about 50% of them, and after the second dose – in about 80%.
Vaccination of pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy is defined as the most reliable protection for newborns up to the age of immunization. Here again, world practice is categorical that this poses no risk for either the mother or the baby. On the contrary, the administration of the vaccine in pregnant women in the period from 27 to 36 weeks of gestation allows the vaccine antibodies to pass into the newborn and protect it.
The Ministry of Health will provide the opportunity for all pregnant women in the third trimester who wish, regardless of whether they have health insurance or not, to be immunized against whooping cough free of charge. For this purpose, the necessary organization will be created in the Regional Health Inspections, and this will happen after the upcoming holidays, said Prof. Angel Kunchev.
The measures undertaken are in accordance with the proposal of the chief state health inspector, the opinions of the National Expert Council on Immunizations and the Expert Council on Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as the increased risk of disease in newborns and babies.
Tags: Ministry Health emergency measures whooping cough Diseases
