Adults, teens urged to get whooping cough vaccine

Pertussis, the whooping cough bacteria -- CDC photo

Washington State health officials are urging adults and children to be vaccinated against whooping cough so that they don’t spread the infection to vulnerable children.

Over the past few months, there has been a worrying rise in the number of cases of whooping cough, the Washington State Department of Health said in a new health advisory.

Most concerning, officials said, is the number of kids under one year who are hospitalized or have died from the preventable disease.

This year at least 44 infants in our state have had whooping cough — 18 of them under three months of age have been hospitalized and two died.

Whooping cough–or pertussis–is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis that is usually spread by coughing or sneezing.

Babies under two months are too young to get the pertussis vaccine, so it’s important for parents and others in close contact to “cocoon” babies by getting immunized themselves, officials said.

“Immunizations aren’t just for kids,” said State Health Officer and pediatrician Dr. Maxine Hayes. “Whooping cough vaccine protects teens and adults, and by getting it they help protect infants who are too young to be vaccinated, but have the greatest risk of serious complications, including death.”

Pertussis Facts:

• Pertussis is highly contagious and spreads easily through coughing and sneezing.

• Initial symptoms are similar to the common cold — sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever, and a mild cough.

• Within two weeks, the cough may become severe and can develop into coughing spells followed by a high-pitched whoop in some people.

• An infected person can spread the disease from the beginning of the cold-like symptoms to three weeks after the coughing episodes start.

• Antibiotics can reduce the contagious period.

• The disease symptoms are milder in adults, who may not even realize they have it.

• People who have or may have pertussis should stay away from babies, young children, and pregnant women until treated.

The Vaccine

• Young children should get four doses of vaccine between two and 18 months of age — each dose provides more protection, health officials said.

Whooping Cough Vaccine Facts for Adults and Adolescents:

• The whooping cough vaccine (Tdap), for adolescents and adults through age 64, became available in 2005.

• It’s the first vaccine for older people that protects against whooping cough, along with tetanus and diphtheria.

• Most people got a series of whooping cough vaccines when they were kids, but protection wears off over time.

• The Department of Health recommends people substitute a Tdap vaccine for a routine tetanus (Td) booster, which is needed every 10 years.

• People should get it sooner if they’re in close contact with young kids or live in an area with an outbreak.

• Because this is a new vaccine, adults and teens shouldn’t assume they’re protected even if they’ve gotten a recent tetanus booster.

• They should ask their health care provider if they’ve had the Tdap vaccine.

“It’s important for adults to find out if they’ve had the vaccine,” said Dr. Hayes. “Back-to-school time is a great opportunity since parents are already thinking about vaccines for their kids.”

SOURCE: Washington State Department of Health

To Learn more:

• For information about whooping cough (pertussis) visit the Department of Health’s pertussis information webpage or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s pertussis page.

• More information on preventing whooping cough is available by contacting your local health agency (www.doh.wa.gov/LHJMap/LHJMap.htm) or the Department of Health’s immunization program (www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize) at 360-236-3595.

Tags: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Vaccination, Whooping Cough

Category: News, Pertussis, Vaccines