98% of adults not vaccinated against pertussis. ~ AAP

[mzmolly]

http://www.parade.com/health/2010/08/08-the-new-whooping-cough-epidemic.html">PARADE MAGAZINE

The booster shot Tdap was introduced a few years ago to combat adult-to-child transmission, but not many are taking advantage of it. Last year, a national survey by the American Academy of Family Physicians showed that while nearly 75% of adults think they are up to date on their immunizations, only 2% have actually received this Tdap booster.

A few other troubling facts emerged—76% of those polled didn’t know that whooping cough remains widespread in the U.S. (The CDC estimates that 600,000 cases of pertussis occur each year among American adults, many of them so mild that they are not identified as such.) And 61% were “ not aware that a vaccine against the disease exists.” Additionally, 72% reported that they were unsure about or didn’t know that the vaccine’s effects wear off over time.

Why Grown-Ups Need Shots, Too. Plus, Need-to-Know Info on Vaccines for Kids

If you think your cough may be pertussis, seek medical advice. In the meantime, heed Dr. Horton’s advice: All children need the vaccine, and parents, family members, and caregivers of infants need a booster shot.

The Shots You Need

• Children require three doses of the pertussis vaccine by the age of 6 months, and a total of five doses by age 6.

• Children between 11 and 12 years old need a booster.

• Teens and adults up to age 65 should have the booster shot known as Tdap.

Thanks to new DU-er kerouac2 for this information. :hi:

[msongs]

1. hooray I'm in the top 2% of something! nt

[indepat]

2. Both the better-half and I nearly succumbed to whooping cough about the time Hitler invaded

Poland: mean stuff indeed. :P

[mzmolly]

3. It's no fun. Though, most people who are carriers

just think they have a bad cough.