Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It’s called whooping cough because of the distinctive “whooping” sound that occurs when the infected person tries to breathe in air after a coughing fit. Whooping cough can be life-threatening, especially for babies and young children. That’s why getting vaccinated is so important.
What is the whooping cough vaccine?
The whooping cough vaccine is a combination vaccine that also protects against tetanus and diphtheria. It’s called the Tdap vaccine. The vaccine contains a small amount of inactivated toxins from the bacteria that cause tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. When you get vaccinated, your body produces antibodies that recognize and destroy those toxins. As a result, you’re protected against the diseases.
Who should get vaccinated?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone get vaccinated against whooping cough. However, there are certain groups of people who are at higher risk of getting sick and suffering severe complications from the disease. These include:
- Infants and young children
- Pregnant women
- People who work with infants or young children, such as healthcare workers and daycare providers
- People who have close contact with someone who has whooping cough
Infants and young children
Infants and young children are at increased risk of getting whooping cough because they haven’t yet been fully vaccinated. The vaccine is usually given in five doses, starting at 2 months of age and ending around 4-6 years of age. The first three doses are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with the fourth and fifth doses given at 15-18 months and 4-6 years of age. After the fifth dose, children should be fully protected against whooping cough.
Pregnant women
Pregnant women are also at increased risk of getting whooping cough because their immune system is weakened. The CDC recommends that all pregnant women get vaccinated against whooping cough during each pregnancy, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. This helps protect the mother and the newborn baby. When the mother gets vaccinated, she passes on the antibodies to the baby, which provides some protection in the first few months of life.
People who work with infants or young children
People who work with infants or young children, such as healthcare workers and daycare providers, are at increased risk of getting whooping cough because of their close contact with sick children. The CDC recommends that all healthcare workers and childcare providers get vaccinated against whooping cough.
People who have close contact with someone who has whooping cough
People who have close contact with someone who has whooping cough, such as a family member, are also at increased risk of getting sick. The CDC recommends that anyone who’s been in close contact with someone with whooping cough get vaccinated, even if they’ve been vaccinated before.
Are there any side effects of the vaccine?
Like any vaccine, the whooping cough vaccine can cause side effects. The most common side effects are:
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
Most side effects are mild and go away on their own within a few days. In rare cases, the vaccine can cause more serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction. However, the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh the risks.
Conclusion
The whooping cough vaccine is an important tool in preventing the spread of this highly contagious disease. By getting vaccinated on schedule, you can protect yourself and those around you, especially vulnerable populations like infants and young children. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Talk to your healthcare provider today about getting vaccinated against whooping cough.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Who is at risk of getting whooping cough?
- How is whooping cough spread?
- How effective is the whooping cough vaccine?
- When should I get vaccinated against whooping cough?
Infants and young children, pregnant women, people who work with infants or young children, and people who have close contact with someone who has whooping cough are at increased risk of getting the disease.
Whooping cough is highly contagious and is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes droplets into the air. The disease can also be spread by touching a surface contaminated with the bacteria and then touching the mouth or nose.
The vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection. However, no vaccine is 100% effective, so it’s still possible to get sick even if you’ve been vaccinated.
The vaccine is usually given in five doses, starting at 2 months of age and ending around 4-6 years of age. The CDC recommends that all pregnant women get vaccinated during each pregnancy, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. Healthcare workers and childcare providers should also get vaccinated.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). What is whooping cough? Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Whooping cough vaccination. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/vaccines.html
Mayo Clinic. (2021). Whooping cough. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whooping-cough/symptoms-causes/syc-20378973