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Whooping Cough on Rise, Health Officials Say

Posted on: Sunday, 24 July 2005, 12:01 CDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An increase in cases of the highly contagious whooping cough is prompting state health officials to urge stricter compliance with childhood immunization schedules.

A new vaccination for whooping cough -- also known as pertussis - - should be available this fall for people ages 11 to 18.

Cases have increased annually from 22 statewide in 1996 to 120 last year.

Three deaths in Oklahoma from whooping cough have been reported this decade.

Infants should have four vaccinations from birth to age 2 and a booster shot at 4 or 5.

Shots are required for day-care and kindergarten enrollment.

But Oklahoma's childhood immunization levels continue to lag behind those nationally, officials said.

Free vaccines are available at all county health departments.

In older people, whooping cough is "often unrecognized, underdiagnosed and therefore not treated" with antibiotics, said Susan Mendus, the state Health Department's immunization educator.

To address the protection of older Oklahomans, she said, a new booster vaccine should be available this year for adolescents between ages 11 and 18.

The booster will immunize against pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria.

A second new booster also could be out this year for Oklahomans ages 11 to 64.

Source: Tulsa World

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