A systematic review recently published in BMC Public Health assesses the burden of pertussis in infants < 1 year of age in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) and evaluate the use and impact of pertussis vaccination during pregnancy. Thirty-six studies were included, the majority from Iran (N = 11), Morocco (N = 5), Tunisia (N = 5), and Oman (N = 3), with underrepresentation of other EMR countries. Only one study from Saudi Arabia addressed maternal pertussis vaccination, reflecting low vaccine uptake and awareness among pregnant women. The incidence of PCR-confirmed pertussis among children with suspected pertussis varied significantly from 6.7% (Morocco) to 50.4% (Palestine) among children < 12 months, and between 16.3% (Tunisia) to 73% (Morocco) in children aged <2 months. Age distribution data indicated the highest burden was in infants < 2 months. High hospitalization rates and severe complications were frequently reported in infants < 6 months of age.
The review underscores the substantial burden of pertussis among infants in the EMR and the lack of data on maternal immunization. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted public health interventions to reduce disease incidence.
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