Whooping Cough Vaccination for Babies

The Center for Health Protection stated that cases of whooping cough infection are on the rise globally, and it is recommended that pregnant women be vaccinated during pregnancy or postpartum to reduce the chance of infection in their babies.

Pertussis can be transmitted through droplets. Hong Kong currently has a "Childhood Immunization Program". After birth, babies will receive a total of three doses of a mixed vaccine including pertussis in stages, and three additional vaccine boosters during the growth stage.

The Center for Health Protection announced that there were 110 whooping cough cases last year, an increase of about 60% from the previous year, 40% of which were infants six months or younger.

A committee under the center estimated that the increase in cases may be related to the switch to vaccines with shorter effectiveness in 2007. It also pointed out that newborn babies need to receive three doses of the vaccine within six months to be immune, and there is a chance of contracting the disease during this period. It is recommended that pregnant women be vaccinated between 27 and 34 weeks of pregnancy or postpartum to reduce the chance of infection in their babies.

Chow Zhenbang, chairman of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, said: "During breastfeeding, some antibodies can be given to the baby, because the mother is the main caregiver of the baby. If the mother is infected (whooping cough), it will be transmitted to the baby, which means the baby can be protected indirectly."

Some pediatricians said that if the baby is not protected by vaccines, once infected with whooping cough, the most severe cases can be fatal.

Pediatric specialist Liu Chengzhi said: "Pertussis, as the name suggests, means non-stop coughing, which can lead to complete loss of milk and breathing. Severe cases can lead to hypoxia, even cerebral hemorrhage and convulsions, and complications of pneumonia will be more dangerous."

Doctors estimate that the protective effect of the whooping cough vaccine will not exceed ten years, but adult infection with whooping cough will not pose a great threat to health.