The maternal whooping cough vaccine protects the immune system of newborns.

The maternal whooping cough vaccine protects the immune system of newborns.

Who is affected?

In 2024, Germany recorded the highest number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases since mandatory reporting was introduced in 2013. This disease is particularly dangerous for infants.

The most common cases of the disease occurred in infants under one year of age, with almost 122 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Experts expect that similarly high numbers of cases will be recorded in 2025.

How do you protect infants?

To reduce the susceptibility of newborns to this highly contagious disease in the first months of life, expectant mothers should be vaccinated against the pertussis bacterium (Bordetella pertussis). This vaccination protects babies when they are born.

The vaccinations are given in three doses, with the first dose not being administered for at least two months. With the second vaccination, which takes place around the fourth month, children have their own protection for the first time. In Germany and most European countries, pregnant women are advised to be vaccinated against whooping cough to ensure protection until their children's first vaccinations.

What was discovered in the research?

A research team led by Prof. Beate Kampmann from the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin has demonstrated for the first time that the antibodies transmitted from the mother are present not only in the blood but also in the nasal mucosa of newborns. The nasal mucosa is the place where pathogens enter the body.

Beate Kampmann noted: "We knew that the maternal antibodies are transmitted via the placenta. However, we were surprised that we were also able to detect them in the nasal mucosa of the newborns. This confirms the effectiveness of indirect vaccination."

Different vaccination reactions depending on the vaccine type

As part of the international study, 343 pregnant women in The Gambia were vaccinated with either a whooping cough or tetanus vaccine. In the infants whose mothers had received the corresponding vaccine, maternal antibodies could be detected both in the blood and in the nasal mucosa.

The study showed that infants vaccinated against whooping cough with a whole-cell vaccine developed, on average, a stronger immune response than those who received an acellular vaccine.

Statement on vaccines

• Vollzel Impfstoff: Enthält das komplette, aber inaktivierte Pertussis-Bakterium.
• Azellulärer Impfstoff: Enthält nur einige gereinigte Komponenten des Bakteriums, verursacht in der Regel weniger Nebenwirkungen, bietet jedoch oft kürzeren Schutz.

“According to our results, countries that use whole cell vaccines for children should continue to do so,” concluded Beate Kampmann. “However, it remains important to vaccinate pregnant women with the acellular vaccine, regardless of which vaccine is later given to the children.”

Prof. Beate Kampmann

The importance for public health

In Germany, the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) has recommended whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy since 2020. However, the vaccination rate of around 50 percent is well below the recommended target value.

Beate Kampmann emphasizes: "Our results show that vaccination during pregnancy offers double protection for infants in their most vulnerable phase of life. In view of the increasing number of cases, this is a strong argument for taking advantage of the vaccination offers."

Whooping cough remains a dangerous disease in many parts of the world today. Between 200,000 and 300,000 people die from it every year, especially young children in low-income countries where good vaccines are not always available. The research team is therefore planning further studies to improve existing vaccines and test the effectiveness of new vaccines.

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