Pertussis Vaccine
Vaccination schedule
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2 months
-
4 months
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6 months
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1 year
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2nd grade
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8th grade
The disease
Pertussis is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This bacterium leads to severe coughing fits, characterized by intense inhalation efforts with a sound called whooping, resulting from air deprivation. These coughing fits can be accompanied by facial redness or cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin), which may persist for weeks or months. Pertussis is especially dangerous for babies and infants due to potential complications such as sleep apnea (with or without coughing), pneumonia, hemorrhage in the conjunctivitis, and acute inflammation of the brain, which can lead to disability or mortality. 90% of deaths occur in babies under the age of three months, as they have not yet developed immunity to the disease.
The vaccine
Pertussis vaccine is administered as part of the 5-in-1 vaccine (DTaP-Hib-IPV), which also contains vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib), as part of routine vaccinations for infants and children. Currently, due to an increase in cases of pertussis and polio, the first dose of the DTaP-Hib-IPV vaccine is now given at 6 weeks old.
In the 2nd and 8th grades, additional doses of the pertussis vaccine are administered as part of the vaccination in school.
There are also separate vaccines for individuals with sensitivity to any of the vaccine's components. You can discuss the possibility of dividing the vaccination with the Family Care Center (Tipat Halav) nurse.
| Vaccine composition | Vaccine administration |
|
Protein components from the pertussis bacterium |
Until the age of 3 - by injection to the thigh; from the age of 3 - by injection to the arm |
The influence of the vaccine in Israel: in 1957, the pertussis vaccine was incorporated into routine vaccines for babies, and since then, the illness has been reduced by 90%. However, there are occasional outbreaks of the diseases, particularly among unvaccinated babies.
Possible side effects and how to relieve them
Some people may experience side effects after getting the DTaP-Hib-IPV vaccine, which contains the pertussis vaccine. However, these are usually mild and go away on their own after a day or two:
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Redness, pain and swelling at the injection site -
Fever -
General discomfort -
Extremely rare phenomena
- Redness and pain at the injection site and local swelling or in the entire limb: you can apply a clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water to the injection site and avoid massaging the area.
- Fever: you can administer an analgesic to help relieve pain and reduce fever.
- General discomfort: lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, consistent crying, diarrhea, restlessness, drowsiness: You can administer an analgesic to help relieve pain and reduce fever.
- Rare phenomena: seizures appearing up to three days after vaccination. These seizures are usually related to the fever and are not considered dangerous or cause permanent nerve damage.
When to seek medical attention at an HMO or emergency medical center
- If your child appears apathetic.
- If fever lasts beyond 24-48 hours.
- In case of seizures (often related to fever but should be examined).
- If there are changes in appetite and eating patterns beyond 24-48 hours.
- If any other phenomenon causes concern.
If your child experiences symptoms after getting vaccinated in school - please inform the school nurse.