Pertussis (whooping cough) still a danger to infants - Infographic

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Published by: The Public Health Agency of Canada
Issue: Volume 44-9: Respiratory infections
Date published: September 6, 2018
ISSN: 1481-8531

Volume 44-9, September 6, 2018: Respiratory infections

Infographic

Pertussis vaccine immunity wanes over time
- Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a respiratory tract infection that can be prevented with vaccination.
- However, protection takes several shots to establish and then protection wanes over time.
Young infants are most at risk
- Infants less than three months of age have only received one dose of the vaccine.
- A recent study found most infants less than three months with pertussis had severe disease and of those ^{Footnote 1}:
  - 92% required hospitalization
  - 28% intensive care admission
How to prevent infection
- Make sure you and your family are up to date with your vaccines ^{Footnote 2}:
  1. Routine childhood immunization schedule at 2, 4, 6, 12-23 months and 4-6 years
  2. Adolescent booster at 14-16 years
  3. Adult booster
  4. With every pregnancy
    - Protective antibodies are transferred to the baby
    - Best between 27-32 weeks