Whooping cough threatens your baby’s life health

Germany’s Standing Committee on Vaccinations said that whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection transmitted through droplets caused by sneezing and coughing.

The committee added that infants under the age of 6 months are more susceptible to whooping cough, noting that the disease may take a dangerous course in some cases. As it may cause rib fractures or pneumonia.

Young children may also suffer from convulsions, respiratory arrest, or even brain damage, and about one percent of infected children under the age of 6 months die as a result of this disease.

To avoid these serious dangers, the committee stressed the importance of receiving vaccination against whooping cough at the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy (starting from the 28th week of pregnancy), noting that in the case of premature birth, the vaccination date must be brought forward to the second trimester of pregnancy. This allows protective antibodies to be transferred to the fetus in the womb.

Vaccination is also important for people who are in close contact with the child after its birth, such as the father, siblings, grandparents, and caregivers, in order to protect him from infection.

It should be taken into account that the last vaccine should not exceed ten years old, bearing in mind that full protection is usually achieved two weeks after receiving a booster dose of the vaccine.