Pertussis – whooping cough – a dangerous threat to children in decades past, is making an unwelcomed comeback. In June 2010, California experienced its worst whooping cough epidemic in 50 years. There have also been pertussis outbreaks in Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Dakota and Kentucky. A rise in multiple cases of the illness in Philadelphia suburbs over the past few years have prompted the Pennsylvania Department of Health to urge people throughout the state ensure that their vaccinations are up-to-date.
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Many people may think pertussis as an obsolete disease, therefore eliminating the need for vaccines. However, with less children being regularly vaccinated, cases of once-rare diseases are becoming more prevalent.
Eighty percent of PAH employees have been vaccinated with a recent Tdap vaccine to protect against pertussis, which has been making a resurgence during recent years. Any employee that still wants this vaccine can schedule an appointment to get one via Employee Health 215-829-6461.
So why is it making a comeback?
In recent years, some parents have been reluctant to vaccinate their children due to unfounded claims of current vaccination schedules used in the US being linked to an increased risk of developing Autism. There is no finite evidence that supports this claim and pediatricians recommend parents continue vaccinating young children.
Pertussis was and remains a highly contagious and serious disease, particularly in young children. While the disease is not commonly fatal, deaths have occurred in infants and young children – especially those under six months of age with weakened immune systems. The disease is, of course, preventable if a child is properly vaccinated. Immunization and adhering to approved vaccination schedules is the best way to project children from pertussis.
On January 19, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health released the following Health Advisory regarding recommendations for the diagnosis and control of pertusis. To see the full advisory, click here.
