Wellness Tip

The Importance of Whooping Cough Vaccination

Pertussis, commonly known as Whooping Cough, is a vaccine-preventable illness. It is a respiratory illness that can be fatal for infants. Studies have shown that the immunity from the vaccine, given to young children, decreases over time. The CDC recommends that pre-teens, teens and adults receive a booster vaccine to continue protection against the illness. Newborns are too young to receive the vaccine, so it is important that parents and caregivers of infants be vaccinated in order to protect their child. The classic sign of whooping cough is a severe cough that can cause a person to have to gasp for breath.

Please contact your physician or the Sedgwick County Health Department at 660-7392 for more information on Whooping Cough.