The Health Administration Division of Yeoju City Public Health Center in Gyeonggi recently urged active pertussis vaccination following a nationwide pertussis outbreak and the occurrence of the first death (under 2 months old).
The number of pertussis infections surged to 30,332 as of the first week of November, rising sharply from 3,598 cases in September to 6,583 in October and 7,987 in November.
Pertussis is highly contagious through respiratory droplets and is especially dangerous for infants under 12 months with weak immunity. It is recommended that infants receive timely vaccinations at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, which are available free of charge at nearby designated medical institutions.
The head of the Health Administration Division emphasized, “To prepare for the pertussis outbreak, it is important to thoroughly practice respiratory infection prevention measures such as handwashing and cough etiquette, and for children to complete their vaccinations.”
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