A whooping cough epidemic sweeping California has killed five
infants this year, and health officials are urging the public to
make sure all family members and caregivers are up-to-date on
their vaccinations. Epidemiologists said a key to breaking what
has been a three- to five-year cycle of epidemics for whooping
cough may be a booster shot that became available in 2005 for
middle-school children and adults. “We’re really trying to raise
awareness that it’s important for parents, family members and
caregivers to get a booster shot to provide a cocoon of
protection around infants,” said Ken August, spokesman for the
California Department of Public Health. People also should not
ignore a nagging cold that involves a cough, said Dr. John
Bradley, director of infectious diseases at Rady Children’s
Hospital in San Diego. “Anyone who has a cough for more than a
few days or a staccato cough should go to a doctor,” he said.
“In the early stages, it can be easily treated” with
antibiotics. Whooping cough, or pertussi