Grownups-You Need A Shot!

The state health department is reporting a big jump in the number of cases of whooping cough (pertussis) in our state-- almost triple the number the past three months compared to the same three month period a year ago.)

And its not only Colorado thats seeing a jump- its happening all across America (something to think about if youve got holiday travel plans)

Whooping cough may not seem like a big deal, but it can be fatal in infants and small children. Older kids and grownups can be sick (and cough cough cough) for six weeks. I mean, how would you like to be coughing a lung up for all that time? Its nasty.

So the answer- get your whooping cough, or pertussis shot. Which really means a timely booster shot for all of us-- big people included. And the big people included is whats really new in this whole thing. We havent been really pushing the pertussis boosters on adults, but to protect them, and the children they come in contact with, we are now.

Here's the latest from the experts:

· DTaP vaccination of all infants at 2, 4 and 6 months

· DTaP vaccination booster for all children at age 12-15 months

· DTaP vaccination booster for all children at age 4-6 years

· Tdap vaccination booster for all adolescents at age 11-12 years

· Tdap vaccination booster for adolescents 13-18 years (who have not received a Tdap booster)

· Tdap vaccination booster for all adults

In addition, people who are caring for an infant or are a member of a household with an infant, should be vaccinated. This includes

· all adult infant care providers with Tdap vaccine including adults age 65 and older;

· underimmunized preadolescents (ages 7-10 years) with Tdap vaccine

- by Dr. Dave Hnida