Skopje, 9 February 2024 (MIA) - A total of 20 cases of pertussis, most commonly known as the whooping cough, have been recorded on the territory of Skopje so far, although the number of cases is changing by the hour, Public Health Center's Lulzime Bajrami told MIA on Friday.

Earlier today, the Bukuresht vaccination site in Skopje said interest in vaccination has increased following the spike in whooping cough cases. The site will be operating in two shifts, including Saturdays.

"Almost 60 children have been vaccinated this morning until 11am. If the daily average of administered vaccines is usually between 20 and 30, today and for the time being, the number is twice as high. This is due to parents' fear and the measure to ban unvaccinated children from kindergartens," said pediatrician Sanja Cilevska Mladenovska.  

The spike in cases prompted the Commission on Wednesday to propose declaring whooping cough epidemic in Skopje. 

Health authorities urge citizens for vaccination against pertussis. The vaccine is administered at 2, 4, 6, 18 months and again at the age of 7, which is crucial in preventing the disease from spreading.

The country sees hospitalized children, as well as adults with pertussis. Health authorities however say that the situation is stable, and compared to other countries in the region no whooping cough related deaths have been reported in North Macedonia. ssh/nn/

Photo: MIA archive