Moms told to get whooping cough shots

To give their babies some early protection, mothers of newborns are being asked to get vaccinated against whooping cough.

Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract that can lead to severe coughing spells and breathing problems.

The disease, which is most likely to affect infants, can lead to pneumonia and even death in rare cases, the Saskatchewan Health Ministry says.

Children can receive immunizations as early as two months after birth, but health officials are worried about what can happen until then.

And so, the push is on to encourage new mothers to get shots. Heath regions are sending out letters asking mothers to visit immunization clinics.

"If we can immunize the newborn's mother we have protection of that little baby at least until they get their their first immunization," said Tania Diener, medical health officer for the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region.

The province has seen an increase in whooping cough among infants and one baby has died this year.

In the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, between June 2009 and April 30, 2010, there have been 14 cases of pertussis, according to a recent report in the Prince Albert Daily Herald.

Meanwhile, health officials in Saskatoon say whooping cough has taken hold in one elementary school, with16 recent cases at Ecole River Heights.

Parents there are being urged to keep their children home if they are sick, and to make sure they get treatment.

The disease can be relatively mild in older children, but parents are being asked to stay vigilant.