Since January 2024, the UK has recorded 4793 confirmed cases of whooping cough, 181 of which were in infants under 3 months of age, 8 of whom died as a result of the disease. Pregnant women have been urged to get vaccinated against whooping cough so that their babies are protected by antibodies that pass through the placenta.
This is a reminder that a travel medical consultation is an opportunity to check pertussis vaccination status. Swiss recommendations: After basic immunisation against whooping cough, booster vaccinations are recommended for adolescents (11-15 years) and adults (25-29 years). A booster immunisation is also recommended for every pregnancy. In addition, adolescents and adults of all ages should be immunised against whooping cough if they have regular occupational or family contact with infants under 6 months of age and if it has been 10 years or more since their last vaccination against whooping cough.