Whooping Cough Cases Spike In Inland Empire, Vaccination Urged

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health announced late last week that there has been a surge in pertussis (whooping cough) in the county this year compared to last year, with the total number of cases nearly tripling.

Deaths linked with whooping cough are rare, but when they occur, most are in infants. Officials are urging pregnant women and those in close contact with infants to get vaccinated.

“Infants are especially vulnerable to severe disease, which is why timely vaccination is so important,” said San Bernardino County Health Officer Dr. Sharon Wang. “A single dose of Tdap during pregnancy can help protect newborns before they’re old enough to be vaccinated.”

Officials are also reminding the community to stay up to date on Tdap and DTaP vaccines; low vaccination uptake, particularly among children, further increases the risk of community spread.

The following vaccination schedule is recommended by county health officials to protect against whooping cough:

• Pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccine (whooping cough booster) at the earliest opportunity in their third trimester (between 27–36 weeks) of every pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy helps pass on protective antibodies to the baby before birth.
• Babies and children should receive a dose of DTaP (whooping cough vaccines) at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months as well as 4–6 years of age. Children need a total of 5 doses to be protected from severe pertussis.

• Preteens and teens ages 11 years and older should receive a dose of Tdap. (Teens who missed childhood DTaP doses should receive Tdap at their next healthcare visit.)
• Adults should receive at least one dose of Tdap. (Adults who have not previously received the Tdap vaccine should get a dose as soon as possible. Adults should receive a booster dose of either Td or Tdap every 10 years to maintain protection against tetanus and diphtheria.)

Whooping cough is a serious and highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads easily from person to person through respiratory droplets. Symptoms of pertussis can last up to 10 weeks and may include:

• Runny or stuffed-up nose

• Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F) or no fever

• High-pitched “whoop” sound while breathing in after coughing

• Vomiting during or after coughing fits

• Fatigue following coughing fits

• Difficulty sleeping

• Breathing struggles

• Possible rib fractures from severe coughing

• Cyanosis (bluish color of lips, skin or nail beds)

In addition to vaccination to protect against whooping cough, other preventative measures include practicing hand hygiene, covering your coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, and seeking medical care if you suspect you are sick. Schedule your whooping cough vaccine today at your local pharmacy or primary care provider.

To schedule a vaccine appointment anywhere in California, visit myturn.ca.gov.