0
0
New Delhi, May 5: A recent study confirms that vaccinating pregnant women against whooping cough (pertussis) significantly enhances newborns’ immunity during their vulnerable early months, despite a mild reduction in infants’ immune response to their own vaccinations later on.
Whooping cough, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, remains a serious health threat worldwide, with the WHO reporting about 16 million cases and nearly 195,000 child deaths annually. The disease is characterized by severe coughing fits and a distinctive “whooping” sound.
Researchers from the University of Turku, Finland, conducted a phase 4, double-blind, randomized controlled trial in The Gambia, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. They found that maternal vaccination with the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy is safe and boosts the quantity and quality of pertussis-specific antibodies in infants, providing critical protection before babies can receive their own vaccines.
The study also observed a mild “blunting” effect, where infants born to vaccinated mothers showed slightly reduced immune responses to their own diphtheria-tetanus-whole-cell pertussis (DTwP) vaccinations. However, the overall antibody quality and memory B-cell response remained intact, ensuring long-term immunity.
Experts emphasize that maternal immunization is especially important in low-resource settings with high disease burden and continues to be recommended to protect newborns until they can be vaccinated directly.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes findings from recent scientific studies and does not substitute professional medical advice. Pregnant women should consult healthcare providers before vaccination.
Citations:
