Vaccines

Amid an alarming outbreak of whooping cough, the Health Ministry is urging all pregnant women to get vaccinated against the disease.

Since the beginning of the year until mid-June, 264 cases of whooping cough were recorded in Greece, compared to just nine reported throughout 2023.

Of the 264 cases, 34 were reported in the first 13 days of June.

Greece is experiencing a pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak, likely linked to the delayed immunization of certain age groups

The National Public Health Organization (EODY) announced on Thursday a surge in whooping cough cases, including two deaths, and called for timely vaccinations against the disease. 

Bulgaria has updated its immunization calendar, granting general practitioners the authority to administer whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines to newborns two weeks earlier than before, starting at six weeks after birth. This significant change was officially announced in today's edition of the State Gazette, marking a pivotal step in safeguarding infants against whooping cough.

In a recent poll conducted on our Facebook page, we asked our readers a critical question: "Should parents vaccinate their children?" Out of the participants, a resounding 87.5% voted in favor of vaccination, while 12.5% opposed it.

The Ministry of Health in Bulgaria has announced a significant initiative to provide free whooping cough vaccines to all pregnant women between 27 to 36 weeks of gestation. Dr. Galya Kondeva, the Minister of Health, revealed this decision during a briefing held at the Council of Ministers.

A recent study conducted by the sociological agency "Global Metrics" on behalf of UNICEF Bulgaria and the Ministry of Health sheds light on the attitudes of Bulgarian parents towards vaccination. The findings reveal that the fear of side effects is the primary factor driving some parents to refuse vaccination for their children.

In response to a surge in whooping cough infections across the country, the Ministry of Health has announced a significant adjustment to the immunization schedule, permitting the administration of the first whooping cough vaccine to infants at just a month and a half old, rather than waiting until the traditional second month mark as stipulated in the Immunization Calendar.

Two infants from Kyustendil have tragically lost their lives after contracting whooping cough, confirmed by Chief State Health Inspector Assoc. Angel Kunchev and the Ministry of Health to BNR.

23 deaths in Greece from streptococcus, 11 of the victims are minors - Health authorities are alert to cover the vaccination and immunity gap