Below are a list of recommendations by Public Health to help protect against Whooping Cough:
“Vaccinate to protect.
- Children should get five doses of the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine for best protection. Make sure your children receive all their doses at each of the following ages: 2 months; 4 months; 6 months; 15 – 18 months; and
4 – 6 years of age.
- All preteens, teens, and adults- including pregnant women in their third trimester- should get the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.
Minimize the spread.
· Protect infants and young children by minimizing exposure (close contact) to persons who have cold symptoms or cough illness.
· Stay home from school or work when you are sick.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
· Wash your hands often.
· Anyone suspected of having whooping cough or who is exposed to a person with the disease should be seen by their physician.
All health care providers should be vigilant for possible cases of pertussis and topromptly report suspect cases of pertussis to the Immunization Program, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, at 735-7143/7148 or 735-7135.
For more information, please call the Immunization Program at 735-7143/7135.”
