|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
State public health officials are encouraging all members of the public, especially people who are pregnant and caregivers to infants, to receive the Tdap vaccinations as cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, rise across California.
In San Mateo County, 114 cases have been reported in 2024 and one case has been reported in 2025, as of Jan. 8. Santa Clara County reported a total of 68 cases in 2024.
In California, more than 2,000 cases of whooping cough have been reported between January and October 2024. Out of these cases, 62 infants less than 4 months of age were hospitalized and one infant died.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial disease that is spread through coughing and can cause severe illness, especially in infants, according to the California Department of Public Health. Vaccinated individuals are protected against severe illness and health complications that may result from whooping cough.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, many practices that had lowered instances of whooping cough are no longer in place, and we’re seeing the disease return to pre-pandemic levels,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH director and state public health officer in a Jan. 3 press release. “Infants are particularly vulnerable and that’s why CDPH especially encourages people who are pregnant to receive the Tdap vaccine in their third trimester which will pass along protective antibodies to the baby.”
In 2023, San Mateo County reported four cases and Santa Clara County reported eight cases.
CDHP encourages all adults to stay up to date on the Tdap vaccine, receiving it every 10 years. Pregnant people between 27 weeks and 36 weeks of pregnancy should also get vaccinated, even if they have received Tdap in the past. Public health officials say the Tdap vaccine, when given during pregnancy, is 90% effective in preventing infant hospitalization from whooping cough.
Infants and young children should be vaccinated with DTaP starting at 2 months through 4-6 years of age. Children who have not been vaccinated are more likely to have serious health complications.
Whooping cough can cause severe coughing fits that can last for months. Early signs of the disease are similar to a common cold, including a runny or stuffy nose and low grade fever. Babies with whooping cough may experience trouble breathing, stop breathing or turn blue. Infants under 2 months old are most susceptible to hospitalization and death, according to the CDPH.
Pharmacies across the state offer Tdap vaccines including Costco, CVS, Lucky, Rite Aid, Target and Walgreens. Prices and availability vary at each location, but most insurance carriers, including MediCal cover the cost of the vaccine. Schedule a vaccine appointment by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov, contacting your health care provider or local pharmacy.
To report a confirmed or suspected case of whooping cough, call 650-573-2345. For more resources on whooping cough visit smchealth.org/whoppingcough.
