In recent weeks, Jerusalem has experienced a tragedy as a five-week-old baby passed away due to whooping cough. The mother was not vaccinated during pregnancy, and the baby was too young to receive the vaccine. Typically, the first dose of the vaccine is administered to babies at two months of age. However, in cases of an outbreak, it can be given as early as six weeks, but it is not effective before that age. To protect younger babies, it is crucial to vaccinate the pregnant mother between weeks 27 and 36. This vaccine increases antibody levels against pertussis in the mother’s blood, which then pass through the placenta to protect the fetus until it is ready for the active vaccine.
This unfortunate incident marks the third case of a baby dying from whooping cough since the outbreak in early 2023. The disease has claimed the lives of unvaccinated babies, highlighting the importance of vaccination. Pertussis is deadly for unvaccinated infants, with about one percent dying from the disease. The wave of morbidity is widespread in Israel, with over 500 new patients reported in May alone. It is crucial to protect children through vaccination during pregnancy and following routine vaccination protocols.
Another serious disease, tetanus, affected a seven-year-old girl in Netanya who was not vaccinated. Tetanus is not contagious from person to person but is contracted through exposure to bacteria in the soil. The tetanus vaccine is given alongside pertussis in early childhood, with booster shots recommended for continued protection. The disease is severe, causing muscle spasms, paralysis, and even death. While treatment is available, prevention through vaccination is essential.
In addition to pertussis and tetanus, routine vaccinations in Israel include protection against diphtheria, polio