Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory-transmitted disease that is highly dangerous for young children, especially those under 3 months of age, as they are not yet old enough to receive vaccines containing tetanus components, such as the 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccines, or have only received one dose containing the pertussis component. According to statistics, current pertussis cases are concentrated in infants within their first 3 months. Therefore, completing the 3-dose schedule of the 5-in-1 vaccine under the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and the 6-in-1 vaccine through private services at 2, 3, and 4 months of age is crucial for preventing pertussis. So, how can infants under 2 months of age be protected against pertussis? Currently, there are vaccines indicated for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy that contain the pertussis component. Vaccinating pregnant women with a pertussis-containing vaccine helps transfer protective antibodies to the fetus, ensuring the infant is protected during their first 2 months of life.
Currently, the recommended vaccination schedule for pregnant women includes a first dose of tetanus toxoid and a second dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.Source: Health and Life Newspaper (Báo Sức khỏe và Đời sống)