Whooping cough booster shots urged for P.E.I. adults

Islanders should consider getting a booster shot for whooping cough when they head off to be vaccinated for the flu this year, Prince Edward Island's chief public health officer says.

There have already been more than a dozen cases of whooping cough in P.E.I. this year, Dr. HeatherMorrisonsaid.

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Whooping cough, orpertussis, is a bacterial lung infection that poses a serious risk to babies. Adults often have much milder symptoms, something that can make it easier to spread. It is highly contagious.

"We've had 14 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough. Last year, we had an outbreak that lasted the entire year, and we had 66 cases of pertussis," she said Tuesday.

"We want to encourage people to make sure they do get vaccinated and get boosted as adults especially if you're going to be around new babies. So if you're going to be a new parent, or grandparent, making sure you have those vaccines."

P.E.I. offers a free booster dose to parents of newborns, and any close contacts, whose immunization is not current.

Infants are routinely immunized against whooping cough at two, four, and six months and at 18 months.

Booster doses are also offered at four years of age and in Grade 9.

Health officials say a booster dose of the immunization in adulthood is also recommended for everyone.

"In P.E.I., we really encourage adults to get their once-in-a-lifetime booster of pertussis-containing vaccine...not only to protect themselves, but protect the vulnerable like the babies, who really aren't protected until they get their full series of vaccine," Morrison said.