Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a serious disease. Infected children have spells of violent coughing that can cause them to vomit or stop breathing for a short period. The cough can last for weeks and make it hard for a child to eat, drink or even breathe. Adults can also contract whooping cough. Pneumonia can occur in more than two out of 10 children with whooping cough, and in rare cases, the disease can cause brain damage and death.
Severe complications happen most often in babies.
Pertussis spreads easily from infected person to others through coughing or sneezing. Children routinely receive four or five vaccines in one needle. The new whooping cough vaccine is included in these new combination vaccines. They are recommended for use in infants and children younger than seven years. Children receive single injections at two, four, six and 18 months of age.