site.btaHealth Ministry to Allow Babies' Vaccination against Pertussis at 1.5 Month after Birth

At a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev here on Tuesday, it was decided that the Health Ministry will allow babies to be vaccinated against pertussis (whooping cough) one month and a half after birth. At present, vaccination is allowed after the second month. Attending the meeting were caretaker Health Minister Galya Kondeva, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Emiliya Lazarova, and Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev, the Government Information Service said. 

The reason for the introduction of earlier vaccination against pertussis is the recent increase in cases, with the highest number of them being children aged under 1. Also, complications are more frequent in newborns. 

The caretaker Health Minister said that the situation is being observed constantly, and the increase in morbidity is no surprise for experts, because such peaks usually occur every 3 to 5 years.

Kunchev confirmed that an increase in pertussis cases has been observed since mid-2023 in various countries in Europe and other continents. In Bulgaria, the number of registered cases stands at 314, compared to 4 in the like period of 2023.

The participants in the meeting also discussed the organization in kindergartens and schools where children with whooper cough symptoms will not be allowed. The authorities call on parents to be responsible and keep their children at home in case of the smallest doubts of pertussis as well as to seek medical assistance.

Lazarova commented that the Education Ministry is following the situation carefully and gathering information daily about the number of quarantined classes. Should the morbidity increase, there is readiness for a switch to online learning for separate classes. The Prime Minister expressed certainty that the state matriculation exams will proceed as normal. 

Glavchev said he is satisfied with the measures taken, and believes that the institutions are ready.