OUTBREAK: Health Ministry Rolls Out Plan To Fight Spate of Whooping Cough

The Israeli Health Ministry has devised a comprehensive strategy to administer pertussis (whooping cough) vaccinations to as many unvaccinated children as possible in response to an outbreak in Yerushalayim. Tragically, the outbreak has already claimed the life of a 10-week-old baby and led to the hospitalization of another infant in an intensive care unit. An epidemiological study revealed that neither the deceased baby nor the mother had received vaccinations against this contagious disease, known for its severe coughing fits and struggle to breathe.

On June 14, Assuta Hospital in Ashdod reported that a four-month-old baby had been diagnosed with pertussis at a healthcare clinic and subsequently admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit due to deteriorating conditions such as breathing difficulties, low oxygen levels, and cyanosis (turning blue). Although the infant’s condition improved to some extent after receiving antibiotics and non-invasive ventilation, the baby remained seriously ill.

Statistics show that one out of every five infants under two months with pertussis requires hospitalization on average, and one out of every 100 may succumb to complications caused by the highly infectious Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Treatment with antibiotics upon diagnosis does not significantly alter the course of the illness, underscoring the crucial importance of preventative vaccination.

The Health Ministry’s plan involves identifying unvaccinated children, disseminating vaccination reminders, extending the operating hours of well-baby clinics, and conducting outreach efforts to reach unvaccinated children in their homes. In response to inquiries, Health Ministry spokesperson Shira Solomon emphasized that the clinic staff is diligently working to identify and reach families with unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children, urging them to promptly visit the clinics for their regular vaccinations. No appointments are necessary for unvaccinated babies aged six weeks and older.

Solomon also indicated that if required, the clinic hours in Jerusalem, the epicenter of the pertussis outbreak, could be extended. So far this year, there have been over 200 cases of this serious and potentially fatal disease, marking a twelve-fold increase compared to the same period in 2022. Most of these cases have been concentrated in Haredi neighborhoods in Jerusalem, where living conditions are often crowded, and parents with large families may struggle to keep up with vaccination schedules.

Protection against pertussis is provided through the DTap or Tdap combination vaccines, which also safeguard against tetanus and diphtheria. Infants and children receive a series of six shots between the ages of 2 months and 13 years, initially administered at well-baby clinics and later at schools.

To ensure wider coverage, the Health Ministry has implemented a “vaccination at home” service in Jerusalem and other areas across the country, where medical staff administer shots in families’ residences. Families with three or more unvaccinated children can avail themselves of this service. Additionally, a budget has been allocated to deploy a mobile vaccination unit, including in Jerusalem.

The ministry is urging pregnant women to receive the pertussis vaccine, which not only protects them but also confers immunity to their newborns until they are eligible for vaccination. Healthcare providers are encouraged to remind pregnant women about the importance of vaccination. The Israeli Midwives Association advises pregnant women between weeks 27 and 36 to get the pertussis vaccine, highlighting its critical role in safeguarding newborns during their transition from the womb to the world. The association emphasizes that the vaccine is safe for both mother and baby.

Assuta Hospital released a statement stating that the life-threatening situation faced by the recently admitted baby could have been prevented if the mother had been vaccinated. Noa Rosenfeld, head of Assuta’s pediatric ICU, stressed that the younger a baby is, the higher the risk of death, and the heart and brain damage caused by pertussis can be irreversible.

Although childhood pertussis vaccinations typically end at the age of 13, the Health Ministry advises adults to receive a pertussis booster shot after the age of 18 to maintain protection. This is especially crucial for medical school students and healthcare professionals.

{Matzav.com Israel}