More than 1,000 pertussis cases confirmed in Bulgaria, interest in immunization is high

There are 1,125 confirmed cases of pertussis in the country. There have not been so many infected for several decades, according to the Ministry of Health. By comparison, in 2023 the infection was confirmed in only 20 people. So, again, what is important is the effect of the anti-epidemic measures.

Monica Nedyalkova's 4-month-old son has already been vaccinated against pertussis in March and April. In the last month the family limited their contacts to protect him:

"I wanted to finish the vaccination course as I am worried at the moment with all the pertussis cases."

The child's next pertussis vaccine will be in 1 year. His mother, who is due to be immunised against diphtheria and tetanus this year, has decided to buy a vaccine to protect herself against pertussis as well.

Monika Nedyalkova: "If we can protect ourselves this is not a disease that I would want to be sick with."

Doctor Denitsa Daskalova signs up children who are 6 weeks old for immunization:

"It certainly makes it difficult for us because these are extraordinary checkups that we do on these children - an extraordinary immunization from their regular visits. It's a problem we have to deal with, to stop the spread of the infection and to protect the most vulnerable in the population. These are the babies."

Families with children who have already turned 12 are also signing them up for immunisation earlier than usual.

"There are a lot of parents who are catching up on these childhood immunisations at the moment and we hope that by doing this we will have an impact on the spread of pertussis. Vaccines are available. We have no shortage of any pertussis vaccine," said Dr. Kremena Parmakova, head of the directorate at the Ministry of Health.

In less than 10 days, 132 pregnant women were vaccinated free of charge at the Sofia Health Inspectorate.

"What pregnant women need to prepare before visiting the offices is one clarification of the term of pregnancy and a consultation with a gynaecologist who monitors the pregnancy," explained Dr. Rositsa Valkova - RHI-Sofia.

In order not to wait, pregnant women should make an appointment for immunisation at the Sofia Health Inspectorate by phone. Experts attribute the boom in pertussis infections to decreased immunization coverage.

"Last year, 4 000 children in Bulgaria did not receive their basic immunisation. And when we add to them the children who did not receive reimmunization at the age of two, six and twelve, the number becomes 24,000 children. That is our problem, not the quality of the vaccine," said Dr. Kremena Parmakova.

After the epidemic subsides, experts will decide whether further immunisation is needed after the age of 12.