Four infants suffering from whooping cough, hospitalized within a few days, in the intensive care unit in Nice. The youngest, barely three weeks old, unfortunately could not be saved. Of the three others, all aged less than three months, only one was able to leave the hospital, the other two continuing to require intensive care.
The facts are serious enough for emergency doctors at the CHU-Lenval pediatric hospitals, which welcomed these children, to sound the alert. “Infants, even if they are vaccinated, are not protected before the age of six months. Also, in the context of an increase in whooping cough cases, let us call on the population, and in particular people around vulnerable subjects , to check that they have benefited from the booster, or to be vaccinated for the first time, if they have never been vaccinated.assert with one voice the Drs Philippe Babe, head of the Lenval Emergency Department and Olivier Haas, pediatric infectious disease specialist.
Cocooning strategy
Insistent words, while the so-called cocooning strategy, intended to keep the most vulnerable protected from this very contagious respiratory infection, is a failure in France. “This strategy, implemented 20 years ago, consists of vaccinating those close to infants to protect them during the first months of their life. The vaccination coverage obtained in this cocooning strategy remains lower than that expected to prevent the transmission of infection to young infants”regret the pediatricians of Lenval.
Respiratory distress and organ failure
As is the case with almost all deaths linked to whooping cough, the three-week-old infant developed a so-called malignant form which results in respiratory distress followed by failure of several organs (liver, kidney, brain). …).
Although the two other babies still hospitalized are now out of danger, they have a so-called “apneic” cough which requires intensive care: “Breathing is blocked and babies become cyanotic.”
In the middle of school holidays, and on the eve of numerous public holidays, periods favorable to family reunifications, emergency doctors reiterate their recommendations. We must protect the most vulnerable: infants, pregnant women and the elderly. “Ultimate proof that the bacteria is circulating, a doctor from the commune of Gaude called us today to report cluster cases of whooping cough affecting young children aged 6 to 7 years. At this age, the disease generally does not present any serious symptoms. character of seriousness, but it is fundamental that they stay away.”
Vaccination against whooping cough is compulsory for infants (since January 1, 2018) and recommended for children born before this date with:
one injection at two months and one at four months;
a booster at 11 months;
a booster at the age of 6, then a booster between 11 and 13 years old.
Depending on age, vaccination against whooping cough may be combined with vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis, and hepatitis B.
A recall at the age of 25 is planned.
For adults who have not received the reminder at age 25, a catch-up may be offered up to the age of 39.
(Source: Ameli)
