Jeonju Expands Free Pertussis Vaccination to Include Spouses

Bring ID and Family Relation Certificate

Jeonju Public Health Center (Director Kim Sinsun) is expanding the eligibility for free pertussis vaccination for pregnant women to include their spouses starting this month.

According to the health center on the 7th, pertussis, a respiratory infectious disease characterized by paroxysmal coughing, is transmitted through respiratory droplets and complications mainly occur in infants and young children.

Pertussis Vaccination for Pregnant Women Free of Charge Poster. Provided by Jeonju City

For infants under one year old, who are considered a high-risk group for pertussis, it is important to prevent infection by acquiring maternal immunity during pregnancy and parental immunity for the primary caregivers.

For pregnant women, it is recommended to receive the vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, when maternal antibodies are at their peak, and for spouses, at least two weeks before having close contact with the newborn.

Since last year, when pertussis became widespread globally, the city has implemented a free pertussis vaccination program for pregnant women, resulting in 74% of eligible recipients being vaccinated last year.

In addition, as the domestic outbreak continues this year, the city has secured additional pertussis vaccines (Tdap) and is conducting various promotional activities to increase timely vaccination rates among eligible recipients.

Kim Sinsun, Director of Jeonju Public Health Center, said, "As pertussis cases have been increasing recently, it is important to prevent infant infections through pertussis vaccination of the primary caregivers who are in close contact with infants. We hope for active participation from pregnant women and their spouses to help create a healthy and safe childcare environment."

Meanwhile, the free pertussis vaccination for pregnant women is available once at the vaccination room of the health center. Those wishing to receive the vaccine should bring their ID and maternity handbook (for spouses: ID, family relation certificate, and maternity handbook) and visit Jeonju Public Health Center or Deokjin Public Health Center.

For more information, contact the Cheonnyeon Jeonju Call Center, the vaccination room at Jeonju Public Health Center, or the vaccination room at Deokjin Public Health Center.