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Whooping Cough Winnable Battle
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Battling Pertussis in Colorado
Pertussis, has recently resurged in Colorado and across the United States.
The Immunization Section at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s Winnable Battle is to increase the percentage of children who are up-to-date on their diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) immunizations. DTaP vaccine is the most effective way to prevent pertussis in children. To be considered up-to-date when entering kindergarten, a child must have received either five DTaP immunizations or four, if the fourth is administered on or after the child’s fourth birthday.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious disease that can cause a prolonged and sometimes severe cough illness. It is caused by the bacterium, Bordetella pertussis, and is found in the nose and throat of an infected person. An infected person has cough episodes that may end in vomiting or cause a "whoop" sound when the person breathes in air. Pertussis can occur at any age but severe illness is more common in infants and young children who have not been immunized.
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Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Pertussis may cause a prolonged and sometimes severe cough illness that may lead to complications such as pneumonia, seizures, encephalopathy, and rarely death. It is most commonly spread through contact with respiratory droplets.
Even though the disease may be milder in older persons, those who are infected can transmit the disease to other susceptible persons, including unimmunized or incompletely immunized infants. The highest rate of serious complications and death occurs in children less than 6 months of age.
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Immunization Recommendations and Requirements
Prevention of pertussis disease is best accomplished through vaccination, across the lifespan.
Two Vaccines are used to protect people from Dpitheria, Teanus, and Pertussis.
DTaP is approved for children 6 weeks through 6 years of age.
Tdap is approved for children 7 years and older.
Current Recommended Immunization Schedule for Pertussis 2013
Everyone should contact his/her health care provider to determine the need for DTaP or Tdap immunization. Recommendations regarding DTaP and Tdap may change in the future.
For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/features/pertussis http://www.immunize.org/pertussis/
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Promoting Immunizations Protecting people of all ages from pertussis requires community effort. If you feel strongly about encouraging others to get vaccinated there are some things you can do. The Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition advocates for higher immunization rates in the state. To learn more about this organization go to http://www.childrensimmunization.org/
Also join our discussion on Facebook (link coming soon)
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In August of 2012 the Colorado Immunization Section awarded 26 local public health agencies (LPHAS) more than $500,000 to conduct local outreach activities aimed at improving pertussis immunization rates of kindergartners in their community. Number of DTaP Winnable Grant Applications (26 funded) by Proposed Activities and Targeted Population |
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Resources
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBtH13vle-Q
http://kdvr.com/2012/10/02/health-officials-whooping-cough-outbreak-worst-in-50-years/
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/newborn-dies-whooping-cough/story?id=15067360#.UHcEvESr_V0
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State of Colorado 