It is possible to provide free vaccinations against whooping cough for pregnant women this year, said the Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna on Friday. She added that whether the regulation regulating quick access to the vaccine will come into force depends on the prime minister's decision. Since the beginning of the year, over 10 thousand cases of this disease have been recorded in Poland.
During Friday's conference, the Minister of Health reminded that she had already taken steps to ensure free access to the whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women and expressed her willingness to change the content of the regulation regulating it. – If the Prime Minister allows such a regulation to be fast-tracked, it will be ready within a month and pregnant women will be able to get vaccinated against whooping cough for free this year – she said. Isabela Leszczyna. – There is already an agreement – replied the person present at the conference. Donald Tusk.
Talking to the media, the boss Ministry of Health She reminded that currently vaccinations against whooping cough are mandatory in Poland for children aged 1, 6 and 14. – These vaccines are completely free. They are available, we are protected until 2026 – she added.
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Whooping cough. Minister Leszczyn on free vaccinations
Referring to information about vaccine shortages in pharmacies, Minister Leszczyna explained that this is a matter between the manufacturer and wholesalers and pharmacies. At the same time, she informed that she had asked the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector to clarify this situation. She added that this may be due to the fact that adults have not been vaccinated against whooping cough so far. – Since whooping cough has appeared, there is greater interest – she assessed.
According to data from the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene, the number of whooping cough infections recorded from the beginning of the year to mid-August was exactly 10,461. In the same period last year, there were 505. According to doctors, the mentioned 10 thousand cases may be underestimated, as the symptoms of whooping cough are easily confused with other diseases, and no tests are done for it.
Whooping cough, formerly known as pertussis, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Infection occurs through droplets. In the first weeks, the symptoms of whooping cough are no different from other upper respiratory tract infections. Dry cough, runny nose, low-grade fever, and sore throat appear. Then, typical and prolonged attacks of troublesome, long-lasting cough occur, which often end with loud inhalation, vomiting, or apnea. Cough of varying intensity can last for many weeks.
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