High risk of whooping cough in South Zone leads to expanded vaccines
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SOUTH ZONE – Due to higher than normal rates of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, Alberta Health Services (AHS) South Zone is expanding immunization.
As of Tuesday (Nov. 1), women that are 26 or more weeks pregnant are eligible for the immunization, regardless of previous vaccination history.
According to the South Zone Medical Officer of Health, Karin Goodison, it’s safe to administer to pregnant women, and provides important immunity for infants after birth.
Those who need the shot are asked to contact their physician or community health centre to book an appointment. AHS added that flu immunization clinics will not be offering the pertussis vaccine.
Two-thirds of confirmed cases involved people who were not immunized or under-immunized for their age. AHS says it’s important to ensure all caregivers and family members are up-to-date on vaccines to prevent spreading the illness.
Pertussis is a bacterial infection that can lead to severe coughing that lasts for several weeks, pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage and death, in extreme cases. For more information about the vaccine and symptoms of whooping cough, visit http://immunizealberta.ca/i-need-know-more/diseases-covered/pertussis-whooping-cough.
