Whooping Cough Patients More Than Triple Compared to Last Year... "Vaccinate Children"

This year, the number of pertussis patients experiencing paroxysmal coughing is rapidly increasing, especially among children. Health authorities have urged children who missed their pertussis vaccinations or need additional doses to actively receive their vaccinations.

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According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), as of April this year, there have been 83 pertussis cases, more than three times the 25 cases reported during the same period last year. Although this is a lower incidence compared to 2019 (496 cases) and 2020 (123 cases) before the COVID-19 pandemic, a slight increase has been observed over the past month.

The majority of patients are children living in group settings. Children aged 12 and under account for 58 cases (69.9%), the highest proportion. This is followed by 11 cases (13.3%) among those aged 70 and above, and 6 cases (7.2%) among those aged 60 and above.

Pertussis is a second-class legally designated respiratory infectious disease caused by the Bordetella bacteria. It is characterized by paroxysmal coughing, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting and apnea. The disease spreads through droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It mainly occurs in late summer and autumn.

The domestic pertussis vaccination rate reaches 95%. By age group, the rates are 97.3% at 1 year old, 95.1% at 2 years, 95.8% at 3 years, 94.1% at 6 years, and 85.5% at 12 years. Vaccination rates at the 5th and 6th additional doses, scheduled at ages 6 and 12, are relatively lower.

Jiyoungmi, Director of the KDCA, stated, “Since the effectiveness of vaccines administered during infancy may decrease as age increases, it is very important to receive additional vaccinations on time after the basic immunization.” She emphasized, “Ages 4 to 12 are the recommended periods for pertussis booster vaccinations. Children attending daycare centers and elementary schools, who live in group settings, are at high risk of contracting pertussis in an incomplete vaccination state and spreading it to their peers, so they must participate in additional vaccinations.”

Furthermore, she added, “To prevent respiratory infectious diseases including pertussis, parents’ active attention and guidance are necessary to ensure that children practice handwashing and proper cough etiquette in daily life.”