Whooping cough vaccine for adults

Pediatrician James Varga, MD, explains why it is important for adults to be vaccinated for whooping cough, especially those who have any contact with newborns or small infants
The Importance Of Adults Being Vaccinated For Whooping Cough
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Whooping cough vaccine for adults

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Especially in California, where we have experienced one of the worst whooping cough outbreaks in the last 30 years. Where there were 11 deaths with infants in 2010 and 2011. There is a recommendation that any parents or caregivers that is around the newborn or an infant, should have protection with a whooping cough vaccine. I support that recommendation because of the catastrophic effects that whooping cough can have on small infants, especially since they cannot begin their whooping cough vaccine series until they are two months of age. A factor that is important in this regard because parents or adults who having whooping cough, may not realize that they are seriously ill. They are still able to go to work and they may just think they have a cough that's lingering especially long. It's not always obvious to older individuals that they pose a significant risk to these infants.

Pediatrician James Varga, MD, explains why it is important for adults to be vaccinated for whooping cough, especially those who have any contact with newborns or small infants

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James Varga, MD

Pediatrician

James Varga began to practice medicine in 1977 after graduating from Bucknell University and New York Medical College with honors. James completed post doctoral studies in Child Development at UCLA. His wife Olga and he have two great daughters, Jenna and Maya.

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Transcription: 
Especially in California, where we have experienced one of the worst whooping cough outbreaks in the last 30 years. Where there were 11 deaths with infants in 2010 and 2011. There is a recommendation that any parents or caregivers that is around the newborn or an infant, should have protection with a whooping cough vaccine. I support that recommendation because of the catastrophic effects that whooping cough can have on small infants, especially since they cannot begin their whooping cough vaccine series until they are two months of age. A factor that is important in this regard because parents or adults who having whooping cough, may not realize that they are seriously ill. They are still able to go to work and they may just think they have a cough that's lingering especially long. It's not always obvious to older individuals that they pose a significant risk to these infants.