Why is there such an out break of Whooping cough

fergus51 · Aug 15, 2005

The vaccination for pertussis is one of the less effective ones unfortunately. Even immunized children can get it.

Jolie, BSN · Aug 15, 2005

Another thing to consider is whether or not your children actually received the pertussis portion of the vacicne. Prior to 1997, when the DTaP vaccine was introduced, some parents and pediatricians preferred to administer only the diptheria and tetorifice vaccines, since the pertussis component was linked to a greater risk of febrile illness, seizures, and other side effects. The newer version of the pertussis vaccine has a much lower incidence of side-effects, and has gained greater acceptance among parents and pediatricians.

If you live in an area with an outbreak or know of exposure to a pertussis patient, please contat your doctor about having titres drawn and/or possible re-vaccination.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Sep 13, 2005

My husband and son are both recovering from pertussis. Vaccine-related immunity to pertussis isn't alwasy complete, and it gradually diminishes as we get older. They've both been coughing in my face for months now. Since I had it myself about five years ago (and was totally selfish... didn't share it with them!), I'm still immune, and sincerely hoping that this exposure has beefed up my immunity even more. My son was definitely immunized as a child, but once kids reach adolescence, the pertussis component is left out of the vaccine schedule. Those most susceptible to pertussis are infants less than 2 months of age and anyone over about 15 years old. There's a movement afoot to reintroduce the acellular pertussis vaccine into all routine immunizations for that reason. I for one will be glad when the coughing stops and I can sleep in peace.

devi, ADN, BSN · Sep 13, 2005

I had the pertussis vaccine when I was a child, but after my titers for NS, my pertussis one came back too low to afford any immunity. Since the vaccine isn't given to adults, I had to sign a form stating that I knew the risks, blah blah blah...(don't even remember what all it said now).