2024-07-05 16:27:37
Whooping cough is on the rise in France. latest assessment French public health Data shows that 14,866 cases have been detected since the beginning of the year. 17 people died, including 12 babies under 2 months old and a 4-year-old child. The results worry health authorities due to possible transmission during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This respiratory infection is spread through the respiratory tract; one infected person can pass it on to 15 other people. Another name for “100-day cough,” it affects adults such as pregnant women, immunocompromised people, and people with chronic respiratory diseases.
But unprotected babies are most at risk, with 74 per cent of the 80 newborns hospitalized since the start of the year aged under six months.
These are provisional numbers, but they are already higher than previous years’ results (41 babies hospitalized in 2023, 45 babies hospitalized in 2022 and 4 babies hospitalized in 2021).
Preventing whooping cough through maternal vaccination
The French Public Health Service therefore recalls the importance of vaccination of pregnant women, which is considered the best protection for the baby.
“To increase the passive transfer of maternal antibodies across the placenta and ensure optimal protection of the newborn by maternal antibodies”,explain higher authority for health. Each pregnancy must occur between the 5th and 8th months of pregnancy, more precisely between 20 and 36 weeks of amenorrhea.
according to ministry of health and prevention Vaccination during pregnancy can reduce the risk of whooping cough by four times, reduce hospitalization rates by half, and reduce deaths by 95%.
If vaccination is not done during pregnancy, even if vaccination is strongly recommended, there is a so-called “trap yourself” strategy. It involves protecting unprotected babies by vaccinating those around them. Especially postpartum mothers and people who may have come into contact with the baby within 6 months of birth.
As a reminder, infant vaccinations are mandatory. The initial vaccination requires two injections at 2 months and 4 months of age. Reminders are at 11 months, 6 years, 11 to 13 years, and the last time at 25 years.
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