Pressroom

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

By: Sapatkin, Don

08/24/2010

In response to increases in whooping cough cases in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware counties, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is recommending that all children receive the DTaP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Health officials also recommend that the Tdap booster vaccine be given to 10- to 64-year-olds who have not received the full series of shots, along with mothers of infants, women considering pregnancy, people in contact with pregnant women or infants, and family members and caregivers of infants. Although experts say infants are especially vulnerable to whooping cough, children between the ages of eight and 12 years account for a majority of cases in the state. The booster vaccine is required for sixth graders in Philadelphia, and Paul Offit, chief of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, expects other jurisdictions to impose similar mandates.