Protect infant from Whooping Cough

To the editor:

If you have ever listened to an infant cough so hard that he cannot catch is breath, you will never miss an opportunity to get vaccinated for Pertussis (whooping cough) again.

This disease is most deadly if the person is younger than 1 year old. The best way to prevent this disease is through vaccination. It is recommended that vaccine be given to all contacts of a newborn, such as the father, siblings, grandparents, caregivers, and any other close contacts.

Most importantly, mom must be vaccinated during the pregnancy. Every pregnancy. This offers a small amount of protection to the infant so that the risk of severe disease is minimized.

Please talk to your doctor about the Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). Vaccines represent the most important public health prevention effort in history. They are safe. They are effective.

Lori Parsons

Executive Director

Iowa Immunization Coalition

Des Moines