The UMCG gives employees who have contact with patients aged six months and younger the opportunity to be vaccinated against whooping cough.
Vaccination has everything to do with the recent resurgence of the whooping cough virus in the Netherlands. It is a highly contagious virus, which can be especially dangerous for young babies. Whooping cough can cause a lack of oxygen intake, resulting in brain damage. Last winter, four babies in the Netherlands died from whooping cough.
Vaccinating employees should provide extra protection for the smallest patients against becoming ill. The invitation is for all UMCG employees of the Woman and Child cluster and for other employees who have contact with little ones.
Risks
“If the mothers of the babies have had their 22-week injection during pregnancy, the children are reasonably well protected against becoming ill with whooping cough,” says physician-microbiologist Andreas Voss (UMCG). “We know that unfortunately not every mother takes this shot. This entails risks for the child, especially now that whooping cough is spreading so rapidly. By vaccinating our employees, we reduce the chance of infections occurring within the hospital. It is also a signal to everyone that vaccination is very important.”
2024-03-31 05:30:00
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