Iowa Public Health Department to Require Whooping Cough Vaccine for School Admission

The Iowa Department of Public Health is trying to get ahead of the whooping cough this year.

According to the Associated Press, state officials are requiring a one time pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine booster shot to students enrolling in grades seven or higher if they were born after Sept. 15, 2000:

Iowa officials are making a 1-time booster shot for whooping cough a requirement for school enrollment.

The state Department of Public Health says the requirement for students enrolling in seventh grade in the fall becomes effective Wednesday. Officials say it will reduce whooping cough cases, which surges every few years.

Cedar Falls went through its own whooping cough outbreak last fall.

In Johnson County, Health Department released the following details about the disease, which generally affects school aged children but can be caught by adults:

What is Pertussis?

Pertussis is a disease caused by bacteria causing severe spells of coughing. These spells can interfere with eating, drinking and breathing. Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, convulsions, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and sometimes death.

What can members of the public do to help control an outbreak?

• Practice good personal hygiene including covering your nose and mouth when coughing, using tissues and disposing of them appropriately, and most importantly, washing hands often.

• See your physician and ask to be tested for pertussis if you have cold-like symptoms that progress to spells of coughing, whoop or post-cough vomiting.

If you have symptoms of pertussis, start on antibiotic therapy and stay home from school, daycare, work, and social gatherings until you complete the first 5 full days of your medicine.