The number of reported pertussis cases has been on the increase in recent years in Washington state. Vaccine for Pertussis Children should be immunized with a four-shot series of the combination vaccine, DTaP, which includes diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, in the first 18 months of life. Children who receive all four doses before their fourth birthday should receive a fifth dose before entering kindergarten or elementary school. The fifth dose is not necessary if the fourth dose was given on or after the fourth birthday. This combination vaccine is not given to individuals over age seven.
Pneumococcal pneumonia begins with high fever, cough, and stabbing chest pains.
Pneumococcal disease is one of the most common causes of death in America from a vaccine-preventable disease. Pneumococcus is in many people's noses and throats. Why it suddenly invades the body and causes disease is unknown. Young children are much more likely than older children and adults to get pneumococcal disease. As with adults, the bacteria is spread through droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person.