In 2024, Poland reported over 32,000 cases of pertussis (whooping cough)—around 35 times more than the previous year. Although recent weeks have shown a decline in new infections, the Chief Sanitary Inspector continues to warn about the dangers of the disease and emphasizes the importance of infant vaccinations and adult booster shots. Nurses play a key role in promoting this only form of prevention by not only educating patients about vaccine benefits but also qualifying them for immunization.
“Pertussis is extremely contagious, with one infected person capable of transmitting it to a dozen or more unvaccinated individuals,” said Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski, Chief Sanitary Inspector. “The symptoms vary by age, but last year we saw a fatal case involving an infant who developed complications including encephalitis. This severe form of the disease is most common in infants.”
Physicians have called 2024 “the year of pertussis.” According to data from the National Institute of Public Health – NIH (NIZP PZH-PIB), presented during a GIS conference, there were 32,400 officially reported cases. That’s 35 times more than in 2023. These figures only reflect reported cases—many more may have gone undiagnosed. Between 2020 and 2023, case numbers ranged from 182 to 922. The previous worst year was 2016, with over 6,800 cases. While current statistics are slightly lower than last year’s peak, they remain worryingly high.
“Recent weeks show a tenfold drop compared to the same time last year, but we don’t know what the post-summer trend will be once children return to school and resume close contact,” Dr. Grzesiowski said. “Last year’s record spike has no clear cause. Possible factors include adults skipping booster shots, and some parents refusing vaccines for their children. A combination of such behaviors may have triggered the outbreak.”
Prof. Ernest Kuchar of the National Program for Combating Infectious Diseases adds that the spike may also stem from a post-pandemic health debt—when access to healthcare was limited—and the emergence of new pertussis strains.
Infants are most vulnerable to severe illness, suffering from apnea, severe coughing fits, and potential lung damage. While adults rarely experience life-threatening symptoms, persistent coughing can lead to serious complications like broken ribs, ruptured diaphragm, or tracheal injury.
Treatment mainly focuses on relieving symptoms such as breathlessness and coughing but does not eliminate the infection. Thus, prevention through vaccination remains the only effective method. Pertussis continues to be one of the most preventable infectious diseases. In 2023, Poland’s average vaccination rate was 94.5%, but some provinces fell below 90%, increasing the risk of regional outbreaks. Herd immunity requires rates above 95%. The first dose is administered as early as seven weeks of age to protect vulnerable infants.
“We also encourage pregnant women to get vaccinated,” Dr. Grzesiowski noted. “Maternal antibodies transfer through the placenta, protecting the baby in the first months of life. Ideally, the mother receives the vaccine during pregnancy, followed by infant immunization.”
In Poland, all pregnant women are entitled to a free pertussis vaccine through their primary care clinic.
Experts stress that vaccine-induced immunity diminishes over time—usually within 4 to 10 years—making booster doses every 5–10 years essential. Adults who forgo boosters can become silent carriers, posing a significant threat to infants.
“Vaccination is an investment in the health of ourselves and our loved ones,” said Dr. Karolina Prasek, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Development at Medicover Poland. “It protects against severe infectious diseases and related complications. At Medicover, we place strong emphasis on prevention. Our doctors and nurses educate patients, answer their concerns, and guide them toward informed decisions about immunization.”
“A combo vaccine taken once every 10 years protects against three dangerous diseases—pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus,” added Dr. Grzesiowski. “What worries patients most are the possible side effects, so it’s essential for medical staff to be open to questions and clearly address any doubts.”
Medical staff engagement—especially nurses—is key to building trust and promoting vaccination. Since 2022, Polish nurses have been authorized to independently qualify adults for protective vaccinations, which significantly improves access to preventive care.
“In 2023, we introduced nurse-led qualification visits, which the law now permits,” said Dr. Prasek. “This increases availability of healthcare staff who not only educate patients but also formally qualify them for vaccines like pertussis.”
At Medicover, the process is streamlined: after scheduling an appointment, a patient undergoes qualification (by a nurse or doctor) and receives the vaccine during the same visit.
As Dr. Prasek emphasizes, the role of nurses in the healthcare system is growing. Today, they can independently diagnose and treat patients, prescribe certain medications—including reimbursable antibiotics for respiratory infections, antiparasitic drugs, and UTI treatments. For over two years, Medicover has offered nurse-led visits for upper respiratory symptoms without prior physician consultation. Specialized training and certification empower nurses to perform procedures such as wound assessment, suture removal, ECG interpretation, spirometry, and skin testing.
Under the European Nursing Action initiative, nurses in EU countries are gaining competencies in advanced nursing practice. These include independently placing central PICC lines with success rates comparable to physicians, participating in multidisciplinary care teams, and taking on greater clinical decision-making autonomy.
Source: ceo.com.pl
