Whooping Cough Outbreak in Israel: An Urgent Call for Increased Vaccination

Whooping Cough Outbreak in Israel: An Urgent Call for Increased Vaccination

Whooping Cough on the Rise in Jerusalem

The Ministry of Health in Israel has raised an alarm over a surge in cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, particularly in the Jerusalem area. This highly contagious bacterial disease is marked by severe coughing bouts, which can lead to vomiting, fainting, or even cessation of breathing.

Dr. Rebeka Brooks, head of the Pediatric Department at Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus, explains that whooping cough is distinctly different from regular coughs associated with other illnesses, making it easily identifiable by those who have experienced it. While the disease can affect individuals of all ages, the most severe, life-threatening complications are typically observed in infants during their first few months of life.

Declining Vaccination Rates and Dense Population: A Dangerous Mix

The rise in pertussis cases is most noticeable in Jerusalem, due primarily to declining vaccination rates and a dense population. Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination rates have dropped globally, nationally, and specifically in Jerusalem. Lower vaccination rates can result in increased vulnerability to the disease, even among those who have been vaccinated.

Pertussis is preventable through a routine vaccine included in the Israeli vaccination program. Despite this, the increasing incidence of pertussis has sparked urgent calls from health officials, like Dr. Brooks, for the public to get vaccinated.

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Protecting Newborns: Vaccination during Pregnancy

With the heightened risk of pertussis, Dr. Brooks advises pregnant women to get vaccinated during the last trimester of their pregnancy. This measure will allow the transfer of antibodies to the baby in the first weeks of life, providing protection until the first pertussis vaccine is administered at the sixth or seventh week. This is crucial, as it mitigates the risk of the baby contracting the disease during this vulnerable period.

The Human Cost of the Disease

Dr. Brooks emphasizes that the true gravity of the disease cannot be adequately conveyed by numbers alone. She recalls a baby who died from pertussis six months ago, reinforcing her belief that even one child’s preventable death is one too many. She asserts that taking control of our children’s health, especially in the face of preventable diseases, is of utmost importance.

Challenging Misconceptions: Importance of Vaccination

Convincing individuals of the importance of a vaccine can be challenging when they don’t see the disease it prevents. However, Dr. Brooks reiterates the pivotal role vaccinations play in preventing diseases and death, using pertussis as a prime example. She urges people to protect their children and themselves by getting vaccinated.

Vaccination Rates in the COVID-19 Era

When asked about the conspiracy theories surrounding vaccines, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Brooks acknowledges seeing more unvaccinated individuals today than before the pandemic, though there has been a recent uptick in vaccinations. However, the vaccination rates have still not reached pre-COVID levels. The effects of the pandemic on vaccination trends are still visible, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to increase vaccination rates.

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