Recently, the Ministry of Health reported a tragic death of a five-week-old infant from whooping cough on June 25. An investigation into the case revealed that the baby’s mother had not been vaccinated against the disease during pregnancy. Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for children under six months old and can result in serious complications and even death.
To prevent such tragedies, the Ministry of Health strongly recommends that women get vaccinated against whooping cough during the third trimester of pregnancy. This vaccination allows the mother’s body to produce antibodies at a high level, which can then be transmitted to the fetus in the womb through the placenta. This provides newborns with protection from the virus until they are able to receive the vaccine themselves.
In response to an increase in cases of whooping cough in Israel since January 2023, local health department employees have been conducting interviews with patients diagnosed with whooping cough to determine possible sources of infection and provide recommendations on how to prevent further spread. The Ministry of Health has also lowered the age at which infants can receive their first whooping cough vaccination at Tipat Halav from 8 weeks to 6 weeks after birth, allowing newborns to receive antibodies at an earlier age and providing them with added protection.
Efforts are also being made to encourage vaccination among pregnant women in order to further reduce the risk of infant mortality from whooping cough. By taking action now, we can help ensure that all newborns receive protection from this potentially life-threatening disease before they are born.
