Immunization

Pertussis

2010 Outbreak

Recently, there have been outbreaks of pertussis (also know as whooping cough) in various areas of the United States.  Pertussis is particularly dangerous to infants who are too young to receive the DTaP vaccine.  At least six babies have died during these outbreaks.  Experts are recommending “cocooning,” a strategy that protects infants who are too young to be immunized, by having parents, siblings, and caretakers vaccinated against this disease. People over 11 years of age (and those over 7 in some states with outbreaks) should receive 1 dose of Tdap vaccine if they have not already.

 

 

• Recommendations for Tdap vaccine during outbreaks from California's Department of Public Health (PDF 174KB)
• The cocooning strategy (Exit Site)
• Tdap vaccine information (Exit Site)
• AAP's Protect Tomorrow Campaign (Exit Site)

 

The Disease

If you've ever seen a child with pertussis you, won't forget it. The child coughs violently and rapidly, over and over, until the air is gone from his/her lungs and he/she is forced to inhale with the loud "whooping" sound that gives the disease its nickname, Whooping Cough. Then the coughing begins again. These severe coughing spells can go on for weeks. The child might turn blue from lack of air, or vomit after a coughing spell. A child with Whooping Cough can have difficulty eating, drinking, or even breathing.

 

The Immunization

The first pertussis vaccine was developed in the 1930's, and became widely used by the 1940's. In the early 1990's a new "acellular" pertussis vaccine was licensed, which works as well as the original vaccine but has fewer side effects.

 

Recently a second pertussis vaccine, Tdap, was added to the schedule for adolescents. It is recommended that adolescents receive this vaccine instead of Td so that they continue to be protected against Whooping Cough.

 

Vaccine Recommendations

• AAP: Prevention of Pertussis Among Adolescents: Recommendations for Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

• CDC: Preventing Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Among Adults: Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (Exit Site)

 

Quick Facts - What You Need to Know (PDF 26KB)

• Why get vaccinated?

• Who should get DTaP vaccine and when?

• Some people should not get DTaP vaccine or should waitlts

• What are the risks from DTaP vaccine?

• What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?

 

Other Resources

• DTP Vaccine Information Statement (Exit Site)

• CDC Pertussis Page (Exit Site)

• Immunization Action Coalition Pertussis Page (Exit Site)

• National Network for Immunization Information Pertussis Page (Exit Site)

 

Last Updated: 7/29/2010