Ministry of Health will provided on all pregnant women between 27 and 36 weeks of gestationwho wish, regardless of whether they have health insurance or not, to be immunized against whooping cough for free. This was stated by the Minister of Health Dr Galya Kondeva.
Cases registered so far of whooping cough in our country exceed 500 at 4 for the same period last year. This shows trend for epidemic spread on the disease. They are most affected the children – they are over 90% of all reported cases. “Among them, the risk group of complications and hospitalization are children up to 1 year old. 84% of them are unimmunized due to underage“, she added.
The Minister of Health stated that he was taking the following actions:
► First – update of the immunization calendar of Bulgaria, allowing the basic planned immunization against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, influenza B, infections at newborns to start earlier – from 6 weeks.
► Second – The Ministry of Health will provide all pregnant women between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation who wish, regardless of whether they are health insured or not, to be immunized against this disease free of charge.
According to associate professor Angel Kunchev, the goal is to ensure maximum safety on the most at-risk group – children up to 1 year and those who have not reached immunization age. “The information you received covers what we were aiming for. This is done in two ways – as with lowering the age for immunization by two weeks, which cover 25% of them, as well as with the opportunity for all pregnant women to be immunized at points for free,” said the health inspector.
Immunizations will be done at designated immunization points after the holidays.
Tags: Ministry Health free immunization pregnant women whooping cough Health News
