Pertussis outbreak shows importance of vaccines

Moral of the story: Get vaccinated, stay up to date!

Source: AMA Morning Rounds 8/4/2010

Health officials recommending booster shots for nearly every Californian in light of pertussis outbreak.

USA Today (7/27, Szabo) reports, "In the midst of what could be the largest whooping cough outbreak in more than 50 years...California health officials are recommending booster shots for nearly everyone in the state, especially healthcare workers, parents, and anyone who may come in contact with babies." Infants "are the most likely to die from it," and the "only way to protect" them is "to vaccinate everyone around them...says Stacey Martin of the CDC." Thus, the "state health department is providing whooping cough boosters to new mothers and other close contacts of infants at all birthing hospitals, community health centers and local health departments." Notably, "nearly 1,500 Californians this year have been diagnosed with whooping cough -- five times the normal level for this time of year," and "doctors are investigating another 700 possible cases."