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Pertussis protection for newborns
Pertussis can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications in infants, especially within the first 6 months of life.
Most infant pertussis deaths occur among those too young to have protection from the childhood pertussis vaccine series. Those vaccinations don’t start until infants are 2 months old. That leaves a gap in protection during the first few months of life. Those early months are when infants are at the greatest risk of contracting pertussis and having severe, potentially life-threatening complications.
What is pertussis?
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Outbreaks of pertussis were first described in the 16th century by Guillaume de Baillou. The organism was first isolated by Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou in 1906.
In the 20th century, pertussis was one of the most common childhood diseases and a major cause of childhood mortality in the United States. Before the availability of pertussis vaccine in the 1940s, more than 200,000 cases of pertussis were reported annually. Since widespread use of the vaccine began, incidence has decreased more than 75% compared with the prevaccine era.
Pertussis remains a major health problem among children worldwide. Data from a recent modeling study suggest that more than 24 million new pertussis cases occurred globally among children younger than age 5 years in 2014 and caused an estimated 160,700 deaths.
How does it spread?
The bacteria that cause whooping cough spread easily from person to person through the air. When a person with whooping cough sneezes or coughs, they release small particles with the bacteria in them. Other people can then breathe in the bacteria.
These bacteria can spread when people spend a lot of time together or share breathing space.
People can be contagious for weeks
People can spread the bacteria from the start of symptoms and for at least 2 weeks after coughing begins.
Taking antibiotics early in the illness may shorten the amount of time someone's contagious.
People can unknowingly spread the bacteria
Some people have mild symptoms and don't know they have whooping cough, but they can still spread the bacteria to others. Many babies who get whooping cough are infected by older siblings, parents, or caregivers who don't know they have it.
How can I help to stop the spread of pertussis?
Get immunized with Tdap!!! Evidence-based research has led the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States, to HIGHLY RECOMMEND a pertussis “booster,” called Tdap, for:
ALL Adolescents (10-18), especially those who are around infants less than 12 months of age
ALL Adults (19 & up), especially those who are around infants less than 12 months of age
ALL Pregnant People with each pregnancy between 27-36 weeks gestation as the BEST and SAFEST option, or right after delivery before discharge from the hospital if not immunized with Tdap during pregnancy
ALL Health Care Workers (anyone who works in a clinic or hospital) get your Tdap booster today to protect yourself, your co-workers and to those whom you provide care.
ALL New Parents need to encourage family members and friends who will be in contact with their baby to get the Tdap shot 2 weeks or more BEFORE the baby is born to make sure immunity is in place.
When we “cocoon” the newborn by surrounding him or her with health care providers, parents and family members who have been immunized against pertussis, we dramatically decrease their chance of getting pertussis.
Thank you for making this wise choice to protect yourself and your newborn. YOU are making a difference in keeping Nevada healthy and safe for our youngest citizens.
How do I know if I need a Tdap booster?
The length of protection from the Tdap shot is not known yet. It is important to make sure that you are current. Tdap has been available since 2005, but another immunization, Td, may still be given during emergency room visits. This is a safe vaccine, but it does not contain pertussis vaccine and will not protect you against pertussis. Please ask for Tdap if you need a tetanus shot after an accident, and it is safe to get a Tdap immunization at any time.
You can visit izrecord.nv.gov to view and print your official Nevada state immunization record or call the Nevada State Immunization Program’s
NV WebIZ Help Desk at (775) 684-5954.
Seeing the commercials and knowing about the outbreak in California, I knew that before bringing my baby home from the hospital that all immediate family members had to get their Tdap shot. If they didn't they weren't allowed near the baby. I didn't want to put her at risk." Crystal C., Real Estate Broker and mother of 3, Dayton, NV
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