Health Council recommendation: whooping cough vaccination for employees

Health council recommendation 2024: whooping cough vaccination

We read this important information in the Health and Safety Invoice Nov. 8, 2024: In September 2024, the Health Council issued an opinion on whooping cough vaccination for employees. The council recommends offering whooping cough vaccination to employees who work with young children (up to 6 months of age). Whooping cough can have serious consequences for this vulnerable group, and in exceptional cases can even be life-threatening. In addition to vaccination for children, since 2019, pregnant women starting at 22 weeks' gestation will be offered whooping cough vaccine to protect newborns immediately after birth. Currently, only 60-65% of newborns are fully protected, so the advice from 2017 to also vaccinate employees remains valid.

The council recommends offering whooping cough vaccination to employees who work with young children (up to 6 months of age).

Employee as a risk factor

The opinion is based on employees as a potential source of transmission. This mainly concerns employees in hospitals (e.g., in obstetrics, neonatology and pediatrics), first-line obstetricians, maternity care, consultation centers and child care centers working with young children.

Responsibilities of the employer

Employers are responsible for safe working conditions as well as the protection of vulnerable individuals with whom employees come into contact. Vaccination of employees counts as a preventive measure within the bio-occupational hygiene strategy. Employers must educate employees about the advantages and disadvantages of vaccination and may seek the assistance of an occupational physician in doing so.

Implementation within occupational health care

Employers in sectors with intensive contact with children should assess the risk of whooping cough transmission in the RI&E. Vaccination status can be included in the occupational health and safety policy, followed by education and vaccination. The DKT vaccine (diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus) is used for this purpose. One dose provides sufficient protection, and repetition occurs every 5 years.

Vaccine availability

In the spring, there was a shortage of DKT vaccines, which led to prioritization in vaccinations. Thanks to the current availability of vaccines, this prioritization expires.