PH’s pertussis cases soar to 1,112 —DOH

Cases of the highly contagious “whooping cough” or pertussis in the country has exceeded the 1,000 mark only three months into 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday. 

Latest data by the DOH showed that a total of 1,112 cases have been recorded nationwide from January 1 to March 30, 2024.

This was almost 34 times higher than the 32 cases recorded during the same period last year. 

Fifty-four people have also died this year due to pertussis. 

In the past six weeks, DOH said that Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Caraga, Central Luzon, and Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) all showed a “continuous increase” in the number of cases. 

Of the total pertussis cases logged so far, 77% were among kids less than 5 years old. Adults aged 20 and above, meanwhile, accounted for only around 4% of the cases. 

“The DOH is cautious in interpreting trends. The number of cases may still change as there may be late consultations and reports,” the agency said. 

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Monday that there may be a shortage of pertussis vaccines in May amid the outbreak of the respiratory infection in some parts of the country.

According to the DOH, the national government’s pentavalent vaccine stocks “are running low” with only 64,400 doses recorded as of March 25. 

This 5-in-1 vaccine gives protection against pertussis, as well as diphtheria, tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B.

However, with supplies getting depleted next month, Herbosa has ordered the older DTP vaccine only to fight diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis to prevent gaps while awaiting the three million doses of pentavalent vaccine which are expected to arrive in June. 

DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said that the private sector also has remaining stocks of the pentavalent and TDaP vaccines, which could be acquired for a fee. 

“May nakikita tayong posibleng emergency procurement na gagawin natin para pagdating ng Mayo ay hindi tayo mauubusan. The directive of the Secretary is hindi dapat maubusan ng vaccines in the government pile,” he said in a Balitanghali interview. 

(We are seeing a possible emergency procurement of vaccines so that we will not run out of supplies in May. The directive of the Secretary is that vaccines in the government pile should not get exhausted.) 

The DOH has underscored the importance of vaccination to combat pertussis, saying that it is safe and effective.

Infants as young as six weeks old may already receive the pentavalent vaccine for free at government health centers. Children from 1-6 years old, meanwhile, may get a booster dose.

Older children, as well as adults and pregnant women, were advised by DOH to consult a doctor to know the appropriate vaccine that would protect them against pertussis. —Giselle Ombay/ VAL, GMA Integrated News