Make the decision that will protect your family!

Ask your doctor about the Tdap vaccine.

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It starts like a common cold without the fever, but symptoms get worse. Recent pertussis outbreaks make adolescents one of the most vulnerable age groups, and Colorado is one of the four states in the U.S with the highest number of cases.

Even though a pertussis vaccine (DTap) has long been included in the vaccinations recommended for children, it could only be provided to children younger than 7 years. In addition, the immunity provided by the vaccine wears off by the time most children reach the age of 10 years. For these two reasons, adolescents (children between 10 and 19 years) are most likely to become infected in our communities.

A vaccine (Tdap) was approved in 2005 that helps to prevent pertussis in children 10 years of age and older, as well as adults up to the age of 64 years. This vaccine is now recommended for all adolescents 10-19 years.

More on Pertussis | More on Vaccination | Resources for Providers