Pressroom

Source: New York Times

By: Mieszkowski, Katharine

07/09/2010

Marin County, Calif., with a population of 250,000 residents, currently accounts for 15 percent of all reported cases of whooping cough in the state. Public health officials say that a lack of vaccinations, somewhat due to parents’ reluctance, could be one reason for the spread of the infection. In 2009, about 7 percent of kindergartners in the county had exemptions based on “personal belief.” Widespread vaccination, however, can prevent widespread epidemics and protect vulnerable populations, including newborns who cannot yet receive the vaccine. Five infants have died of whooping cough in California this year, and Marin County has seen 209 cases of the disease as of July 7. The state has recorded 1,337 cases of whooping cough so far this year, a fivefold increase from the first six months of 2009. A State Senate committee is currently considering a bill that would require schoolchildren in California to have a booster shot against pertussis before seventh grade.