The new combination vaccines, Pentacel and Quadracel, cause fewer reactions and provide better protection than current vaccine in use. The public health immunization program using the new combination vaccines begins today. Children will receive Pentacel at two, four, six and 18 months of age and Quadracel once between the ages four to six years. The vaccines are administered by family physicians. Whooping cough is a highly infectious disease.
Complications are more common and more serious in infants.
About 500 cases of whooping cough are reported annually in Nova Scotia, though many cases likely go unreported. The disease can be fatal for one of every 200 affected children under six months of age. Vaccines are the best way to protect against some very serious infections. The Canadian Paediatric Society and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommend routine immunization.