Urgent Health Alert: Grandparents Key to Protecting Infants from Deadly Whooping Cough
Berlin – Health officials are emphasizing the critical role grandparents play in safeguarding infants against whooping cough, also known as pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory illness that can be fatal for babies.A renewed focus on vaccination for close contacts comes as cases continue to circulate, posing a significant threat to newborns too young to be fully immunized.
Whooping cough is characterized by severe, prolonged coughing fits that can lead to broken ribs, pneumonia, and even respiratory arrest. While frequently enough mistaken for a common cold, pertussis is far more hazardous, particularly for infants under six months old. These young children are most vulnerable to infection through close contact with adults, often unknowingly carrying and transmitting the pathogen via coughs and sneezes – frequently their own parents or grandparents. Tragically, approximately one percent of infants under six months with whooping cough die from complications, sometimes without exhibiting a typical cough, rather experiencing pauses in breathing.
Because infants cannot be vaccinated until they are two months old, health experts advocate for a “cocoon strategy.” This involves ensuring all close caregivers – parents, siblings, childminders, and grandparents – have up-to-date whooping cough vaccination protection. The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends a booster vaccination every ten years to maintain optimal immunity,with full protection typically developing two weeks after administration.
Moreover, STIKO recommends all pregnant women receive a whooping cough vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy (from the 28th week onwards), or the second trimester if premature birth is a concern. This allows protective antibodies to be passed to the baby in utero, providing crucial early defense.
The severity of whooping cough and the vulnerability of infants underscore the importance of vaccination not only for parents but also for grandparents, creating a protective barrier around the most at-risk population.