Interior Health is reminding residents to ensure their children’s immunizations are up to date as whooping cough cases continue to be reported in the region.
Pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough, is a serious infection of the lungs and throat. It can affect individuals of any age, however its effects are most severe among infants who are too young to be fully immunized.
“Pertussis starts with symptoms similar to the common cold - a runny nose, sore throat and a mild fever. It then progresses to a cough that can become severe. In some cases, the cough may include the classic whooping sound and it may be accompanied by gasping, gagging, shortness of breath and vomiting,” said Dr. Silvina Mema, Medical Health Officer with Interior Health. “Young infants are at highest risk of complications, which include pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and even death.”
Interior Health says immunization is the best way to prevent the spread of pertussis and the vaccine is part of B.C.’s routine childhood immunization schedule. A complete series consists of three doses of pertussis vaccine at two, four, and six months followed by boosters at 18 months old and at four to six years of age (Kindergarten). Because immunity to pertussis from childhood vaccines wanes over time, it is also recommended that a booster is given at 14 to 16 years of age (Grade 9).
When most people are vaccinated for a disease, it makes it harder for the disease to spread from person to person. This is known as “herd immunity”, which helps ensure those who are most vulnerable to diseases are protected. In Interior Health, 68 per cent of children are fully up to date with all the recommended immunizations by two years of age.
