Increase in pertussis cases in EU/EEA: infants under six months of age at the highest risk

Pertussis, an endemic disease in the EU/EEA and worldwide that causes larger epidemics every three-to-five years even in countries with high vaccination coverage, remains a significant public health challenge.
Infants under six months, unimmunised or partially immunised, face the highest risk of severe disease outcomes, with the majority of pertussis-related hospitalisation and deaths occurring in this vulnerable age group.

Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety said: 

“The rise in the number of cases of whooping cough across Europe shows the need to be vigilant. It is a serious disease, particularly in infants. We have safe and effective vaccines that can prevent it. Vaccination is our key tool to help save lives and stopping the disease from spreading further”.

Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director said: 

“As we tackle this pertussis epidemic, it's essential to remember the lives at stake, especially our little ones. Vaccines against pertussis have proven to be safe and effective, and every action we take today shapes the health of tomorrow. We have a responsibility, as parents or as public health professionals, to protect the most vulnerable group from the deadly impact of this disease”.

Public health authorities are encouraged to strengthen vaccination programmes and to achieve and sustain high vaccination coverage, including timely and full completion of primary immunisation series and subsequent booster doses, according to national recommendations. In addition, pertussis immunisation during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is highly effective in preventing disease and death amongst newborns that are still too young to be vaccinated. Most EU/EEA countries are now recommending such maternal immunisation in addition to the routine childhood vaccination programme.

The increased levels of pertussis can be linked to a number of factors, including expected epidemic peaks, individuals who are not vaccinated or who don’t have up-to-date vaccinations, waning immunity, and decreased natural boosting in the overall population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While infants are at the highest risk of severe outcomes and death, older adults and individuals of any age with underlying health conditions also face an increased risk of severe disease and hospitalisation.
Increase of pertussis cases in EU/EEA: infants under six months of age at the highest risk
For publication on 8 May