Phatthalung Hospital is reinforcing the effectiveness of Thailand’s locally developed acellular pertussis vaccine, known as aP, in protecting pregnant women and preventing whooping cough in the community.
According to Dr. Sutthirak Bua-kaew, Director of Phatthalung Hospital, the hospital has achieved 100% vaccination coverage among pregnant women using the domestically produced aP vaccine, resulting in zero reported cases of whooping cough in the area.
The hospital, which serves as a major provincial facility with 567 beds and provides secondary and tertiary care to approximately 520,000 residents, has integrated the vaccine into its maternal and child health services. This includes offering the vaccine as part of a One Stop Service that combines antenatal care, health education, and disease prevention in a single visit.
Phatthalung Hospital emphasized that the locally manufactured aP vaccine is comparable in quality and effectiveness to imported alternatives, expressing confidence in its safety and reliability.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen immunization access and public awareness, particularly in southern Thailand, where pertussis outbreaks have occurred in recent years.
By ensuring high vaccination rates among expectant mothers, the hospital aims to provide passive immunity to newborns, who are most vulnerable to severe complications from whooping cough during their first months of life.
The hospital continues to support national innovation in vaccine development while maintaining rigorous standards in maternal and infant healthcare delivery.
