Yongsan-gu Offers Free Pertussis Vaccination for Pregnant Couples

Free Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap) for Pregnant Women and Spouses from March 4
Recommended Rapid Vaccination Between 27-36 Weeks of Pregnancy or Within 2 Months After Delivery
Vaccination Available at 10 Local Medical Institutions After Registration at Yongsan-gu Health Center
Pertussis Vaccination During Pregnancy 68-91% Effective in Preventing Newborn Pertussis

Yongsan-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Hee-young) will support healthy childbirth by providing free pertussis vaccinations for pregnant couples starting March 4.

Pertussis is a Class 2 legally designated respiratory infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, characterized by paroxysmal coughing.

As the cough lasts more than 10 weeks, it is known as the "100-day cough." The main transmission route is respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, which is known to be more contagious than influenza or COVID-19.

Adults infected with pertussis often show no symptoms, increasing the risk of transmission to infants and young children. In fact, the transmission rate within families is reported to be as high as 80%.

In particular, pertussis, one of the top ten causes of death among infants and young children, can be transmitted to infants if parents are infected. Therefore, pregnant women approaching childbirth need to be vaccinated first to transfer antibodies to the fetus.

Related studies have reported that pertussis vaccination during pregnancy is 68-91% effective in preventing pertussis in newborns.

According to recommendations from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, rapid vaccination is recommended between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy or within 2 months after delivery. Even if vaccinated during the first pregnancy, a booster vaccination is necessary to transfer antibodies to the fetus.

Accordingly, the district will provide free pertussis vaccines (Tdap) starting March 4 through 10 designated medical institutions in the area for pregnant women and their spouses residing in Yongsan-gu.

Pregnant couples wishing to receive the vaccination must register their names at the Maternal and Child Health Office of Yongsan-gu Public Health Center with ▲ID card ▲resident registration certificate ▲maternity handbook. After registration, they can receive the free vaccination at the designated local medical institutions by bringing the required documents.

The list of designated medical institutions for pertussis vaccination can be found on the Yongsan-gu website, and for more detailed information, inquiries can be made to the Yongsan-gu Public Health Center.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “There are many misconceptions that vaccines should not be administered during pregnancy,” and added, “Since prevention is important for a healthy and safe childbirth, I urge all pregnant couples to be sure to get vaccinated.”