Pertussis, or whooping cough, cases are on the rise in New York State, and outbreaks have been documented in areas outside New York City. Over the past month, Erie County schools have reported an increase in number of cases of pertussis in school age children.
Vaccination is the best prevention tool available. The latest recommendation for all adults, ages 19-64 years, is to receive one dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or Tdap. Adults ages 65 years or older should receive a Tdap vaccination if they will have close contact with an infant younger than 12 months of age. Pertussis in infancy can be life threatening. It is critical to the health of all babies that adults and children around them be vaccinated.
Tdap can be administered regardless of the interval since the last tetanus-diphtheria-toxoid (Td) vaccination. After receipt of a Tdap dose in adulthood, persons should continue receiving a Td vaccine every ten years.Student Health recommends that every campus member discuss Tdap vaccination with their physician this summer before students return in the fall.
Campus members who care for or have close contact with an infant under the age of 12 months, or are expecting a baby should be sure that they and all close contacts have received one dose of Tdap before caring for the infant.
To read more about pertussis and vaccination recommendations visit www.cdc.gov.
Submitted by: Patricia Creahan, Director of Student Health
