Targeted Pertussis Immunization for Pregnant Women Begins

Targeted immunization of pregnant women against pertussis has launched in Bulgaria, as reported by the Ministry of Health’s specialized website, “Plus Me.” The vaccine will be administered upon request to expectant mothers with a documented pregnancy between the 27th and 36th gestational weeks.

The vaccine is free of charge, and administered immunizations will be recorded in the National Health Information System. By order of the Minister of Health, specific medical facilities and immunization clinics within the regional health inspections have been designated to administer the vaccine. The locations are published on the “Plus Me” website.

The vaccine is a combination shot against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (acellular component) with reduced antigen content. Immunization during pregnancy protects newborns during the first weeks of their lives. This is also the period when the course of the disease is particularly severe and the risk of death is highest.

Since the beginning of 2025, 74 cases of pertussis have been registered in the country, with the highest numbers in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Targovishte. Approximately 80% of those affected are children, and infants under 1 year old remain the most affected group, with 32 cases per 100,000 people.

Last year, a pertussis epidemic was declared in Bulgaria, during which three unvaccinated infants died. The total number of cases reached 2,721, with infants under one year of age again being the most severely affected.