In Reunion, an increase in pertussis has been identified in recent weeks.
Since the start of the year, 6 cases have been reported since the start of the year, including 4 cases in infants, compared to 4 cases for the whole year in 2019.
Pertussis can be very serious, even fatal, in infants who are not yet protected by the vaccine.
In order to limit the spread of the disease on the island, the Regional Health Agency of La Réunion recommends updating the vaccination to the persons concerned.
Whooping cough reminders
The whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by bacteria, Bordetella pertussis. It remains an endemic disease in all countries, hence the importance of high vaccination coverage to protect infants from severe forms of this disease.
In France, the vaccines available are all acellular vaccines and contain aluminum salts used as an adjuvant, to improve the immune response. They differ according to their antigenic composition, the antigens listed below corresponding to proteins which are also virulence factors of the bacteria:
- Two pertussis antigens (pertussis toxoid and filamentous hemagglutinin): acellular Tetravac, Pentavac and Hexion;
- Three pertussis antigens (pertussis toxoid, filamentous hemagglutinin and pertactin): Boostrixtetra, Infanrix hexa, Infanrixquinta and Infanrixtetra;
- Four pertussis antigens (pertussis toxoid, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin and fimbriae): Repevax;
- Five pertussis antigens (pertussis toxoid, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, Fimbriae type 2 and 3): Vaxelis.
Travelers are strongly recommended to check their vaccination record, in particular with regard to tetanus, polio, whooping cough and measles. Detailed information is available on the Mesvaccins.net websites. or Medecinedesvoyages.net.
Source: Regional Health Agency of Reunion.
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