By receiving a booster vaccination against pertussis, adolescents and adults can protect themselves, and especially their young family members, from pertussis. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends booster vaccination against pertussis not only for adolescents aged 9 to 17 years, but also for all women of childbearing potential and persons in contact with infants, i.e., parents, grandparents, relatives, daycare providers, and babysitters.
Vaccination against pertussis does not last forever
For adults, booster vaccination against pertussis has been recommended since 2009. It is combined with vaccination against tetanus and diphtheria.
Because what many do not know: Anyone who was vaccinated against pertussis in childhood or has gone through the disease is not protected against reinfection for life. After a few years, the immune system loses the ability to defend itself against the pathogen. Then one can become infected again. This is also the reason why whooping cough is so common in adulthood.
The Robert Koch Institute counted an unusually high number of people with whooping cough in 2016, at 22,000 cases. This is the highest level since the start of mandatory reporting in 2013. Experts explain the high number, among other things, with vaccination gaps in many people.
Check vaccination status
Between 1974 and 1991, people in the western states were not vaccinated against pertussis. Adolescents and young adults born during this period therefore rarely have vaccination protection.
Even a whooping cough illness that has been passed through does not offer lifelong protection. After approximately four to 20 years, one can become infected again. After vaccination, protection lasts for about four to twelve years.
Whooping cough is present in one in three cases of prolonged coughing in adolescents and adults. Unvaccinated adolescents should therefore catch up on their vaccination protection as soon as possible.
An ideal time to ensure adequate vaccination protection is the J1 adolescent health consultation. During this consultation, the adolescent’s physician checks both the adolescent’s vaccination status and health condition, and gets a picture of the adolescent’s overall development.
Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 14 can take advantage of the adolescent health consultation at the doctor they trust. Health insurance companies cover the cost of both the health consultation and all recommended immunizations.
Vaccinations for children and adolescents
Children and adolescents should be vaccinated against the following infectious diseases:
- Diphtheria, tetanus: refresh vaccinations at regular intervals: In children and adolescents aged 4 to 5 and from 9 to 17 years.
- Polio: booster vaccination at the age of 9 to 17 years.
- Pertussis: Refresh vaccination protection at the age of 9 to 17 years. Those who have never been vaccinated against whooping cough: Make up for basic immunization.
- Hepatitis B: For unvaccinated adolescents: catch up on basic immunization no later than the 18th birthday.
- Measles, mumps, rubella: Children and adolescents who have not been vaccinated twice, should definitely make up for this vaccination.
The pertussis vaccination can be administered together with the standard vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus (DTP vaccination), if desired, additionally against polio in the form of a well-tolerated quadruple vaccine. All costs are covered by the health insurance.
Missing vaccinations should be made up. Adolescents in particular have vaccination gaps for the following infectious diseases: Hepatitis B, pertussis and mumps–measles–rubella. Health insurers cover the cost of recommended vaccinations up to the age of 18.
