Why the Whooping Cough Vaccine?

Healthy Baby,Happy Baby

Get your child the whooping cough vaccine before it is too late. Studies show that in 2010 a whooping cough breakout occurred in part because of parents not vaccinating their children. Researchers from the journal Pediatrics say, “Our findings suggest that communities with large numbers of intentionally unvaccinated or undervaccinated persons can lead to pertussis outbreaks.” Get your child out of the danger zone and have them get the whooping cough vaccine, it can save their life.

 What is Whooping Cough?

The medical term for Whooping Cough is Pertussis. According to the Center for Disease Control, Whooping Cough is a respiratory tract infection that starts out as the common cold but escalates quickly and is highly contagious.  This Infection is most common in infants so start thinking about your child’s vaccinations early. Whooping Cough can escalate to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and even death in more serious cases.

When Should You Vaccinate?

Pregnant mothers need the TDap

The first step to saving your child’s life is getting yourself vaccinated each time you are pregnant. The CDC recommends vaccinating in your third trimester. Secondly, have the rest of the family get the whooping cough vaccine before the baby is born. This only needs to be done once. Anyone around the baby could have whooping cough without knowing it and pass it on to the baby before they are old enough to get all their shots.

Once your child is born the first shot should be given around 2 months old. After this, five additional shots are needed to give your child the best chance against Whooping Cough. These shots should be given at 4 months, 6 months, 15 months, between 4 and 6 years old, and then a booster at 11 years old may be necessary.

What is the Whooping Cough Vaccine?

Today’s Whooping Cough Vaccine (Pertussis Vaccine) is given along with a vaccine for tetanus and diphtheria. The shot for children in the United States is called the DTap and the shot for adolescents and adults is the TDap. Studies show this vaccine is safe and effective.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Whooping Cough are all caused by the same bacteria. The vaccine contains an inactive toxin that is given off by this bacteria. The vaccine will not give you or your child any of these infectious diseases but it will help your body grow an immunity to them.

Just in Case: What are the Symptoms?

If in case you child does get whooping cough, studies show that half the babies (under a year old) who get this disease are hospitalized for it. It is important to know the signs so that you can catch the disease early. The signs are:

• Runny nose
• Conjestion
• Mild Fever
• Severe Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty eating or drinking
• Deep inhalations after coughing attacks

Save your child’s life and get the Whooping Cough Vaccine. Visit our Care Club website to find a doctor near you.