Note: This appears to be an unrelated topic (about the whooping cough vaccine), not chemical-industry news. However, per the task, here is the translation: What We Need to Know About the Whooping Cough Vaccine

What You Need to Know About Pertussis Vaccination The Respiratory Society (TÜSAD) has reminded the public that pertussis, commonly known as a childhood disease, also affects adults, noting that the risk is 3.6 times higher in COPD patients. TÜSAD COPD Working Group Chair Prof. Dr. Arzu Mirici issued a warning: "With case numbers increasing and outbreaks occurring every 3-4 years, vaccination is the most effective way to combat pertussis. Pertussis vaccination is needed every 10 years." Pertussis, regarded by many as only a childhood disease, continues to threaten human health in adulthood. Pertussis is a contagious respiratory tract disease caused by bacteria called "Bordetella pertussis," a disease that can be fatal during childhood but also affects susceptible individuals of all ages. The Turkish Respiratory Research Society (TÜSAD) COPD Working Group has emphasized that pertussis is a widespread disease globally and causes outbreaks every 3-4 years, issuing the warning: "Pertussis case numbers are increasing worldwide."

Vaccination as Most Effective Protection

TÜSAD COPD Working Group Chair Prof. Dr. Arzu Mirici, noting that vaccination is the most effective way to protect against pertussis, shared the following important information regarding vaccination schedule: "In our country, pertussis vaccination is administered as a pentavalent combination vaccine (Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus-Hib-Poliomyelitis/DaBT-Hib-IPV) at 2, 4, and 6 months after birth and is repeated after 18 months. A booster dose is given at 48 months as a four-component combination vaccine (DaBT-IPV). We recommend that pregnant women receive Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccination during each pregnancy, and adults every 10 years."

Risk 3.6 Times Higher in COPD Patients

Mirici, noting that pertussis is frequently seen in childhood but can cause serious health problems particularly in individuals with chronic airway diseases such as COPD, stated: "The frequency of pertussis infection in COPD patients is 1.9–3.6 times higher than in individuals without the disease. In a recent study, 18.8 percent of patients hospitalized with a pertussis diagnosis were COPD patients. Because symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath caused by pertussis infection resemble COPD symptoms, pertussis diagnosis becomes difficult. Exposure to pertussis can also trigger exacerbations in COPD patients."  

Symptoms Requiring Attention

TÜSAD COPD Working Group Secretary Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burcu Arpınar Yiğitbaş provided the following information about distinguishing characteristics of pertussis:

• Flu-like complaints in the initial stage followed by coughing fits,
• Coughing fits that occur especially at night and last between 2-6 weeks,
• Choking-type cough triggered by various stimuli such as noise, cold air, excessive movement, excitement, and light,
• Redness, pallor, and choking sensation during coughing fits,
• 5-10 repeated, staccato, choking-type coughs while breathing and the deep, audible breath that follows,
• At the end of the attack, the patient expels thick, sticky sputum. Vomiting after coughing triggered by throat irritation from the sputum is also a distinguishing sign.

Yiğitbaş, recalling the distinguishing features of COPD and pertussis, issued the following important warning: "In COPD, cough is generally in the mornings and productive, fits are not expected, and wheezing and shortness of breath accompany it. The flu-like complaints seen in pertussis before coughing fits do not occur in COPD. An increase in cough, a change in cough characteristics, an increase in the daily amount of sputum, and a change in color indicate that the person must consult a doctor."

Vaccination Can Reduce Hospital Admissions

Yiğitbaş also drew attention to the importance of vaccination in the diagnosis and treatment of COPD patients with a chronic respiratory condition, noting: "The GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) guideline, which contains recommendations for COPD diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring, included in its 2022 update a recommendation for administering Tdap vaccination to COPD patients. Through vaccination, the aim is to prevent pertussis-related hospital admissions and exacerbations in COPD patients."