Health Tip: Who Needs a Whooping Cough Vaccine?

Here are some guidelines

(HealthDay News) -- Whooping cough, medically called pertussis, is a serious infection that can cause episodes of extreme coughing. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications, including death.

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases says these adults should be vaccinated for whooping cough:

  • Any adult who has never received a Tdap vaccine (a combination of vaccines against whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria).
  • Adults who will have close contact with infants aged 12 months and younger.
  • People who work in the health care industry and have contact with patients.
  • Women who have just delivered a baby, and whose last Tdap vaccine was between two and 10 years ago.
Diana Kohnle

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