To sustain the decline in cases of pertussis, also known as “whooping cough,” the Department of Health (DOH) is preparing to distribute 500,000 doses of the pentavalent vaccine, which is an effective protection against the highly contagious respiratory infection.

In a statement on Thursday, Aug. 29, DOH said that the vaccines, which arrived this month and are currently in cold storage, will be distributed to government health centers nationwide once the paperwork is finalized.

It added that 750,000 additional doses of pentavalent vaccines are expected to arrive next week.

“The contracted supplier has started delivery of the pentavalent vaccines that will protect young Filipinos starting six weeks of age. DOH will ensure that all the ordered doses will get to government health centers at the soonest,” DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

Although pertussis cases have decreased to about 50 per week from around 300 per week in April, the agency said it will continue to focus on completing routine vaccinations for infants and children.

“President Marcos Jr. told me not to stop once cases are down, but to ensure that vaccination continues—routine this time—to ensure that a spike of pertussis will not happen again,” Herbosa said.

DOH pointed out that case trends remain low, with 131 cases from July 7-20, 77 cases from July 21 to Aug. 3, and 19 cases from Aug. 4 to 17.

However, four regions—Cagayan Valley, Metro Manila, Western Visayas, and Davao Region—have reported an increase in the past six weeks.

As of Aug. 17, pertussis cases nationwide are at 3,827, approximately 13 times higher than the 291 cases reported during the same period last year.

Most cases occurred in March and April, prompting the DOH to implement an outbreak response immunization campaign.

Pertussis, locally known as “tusperina” or “ubong dalahit,” is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

It spreads easily through droplets from coughing or sneezing and is particularly dangerous for infants, causing serious illness and death.

Symptoms usually start seven to 10 days after infection with mild fever, runny nose, and cough, which can progress to a severe hacking cough with a whooping sound.

While complications, such as pneumonia are common, seizures and brain disease are rare.

The disease is highly contagious for up to three weeks after the cough begins, with coughing spells lasting eight weeks.

Antibiotics are prescribed to treat the infection and help reduce its severity.