Health Dept.: Parents should get pertussis booster vaccine

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indiana State Department of Health is recommending parents get a booster shot for pertussis, or whooping cough.

The latest push comes after seven cases of the contagious and potentially dangerous illness where identified in students attending five Hamilton Southeastern schools .

"It's highly contagious person-to-person, transmitted by coughing or sneezing, and someone breathing in that bacteria," said Tom Duszynski, with ISDH, which offers more information on the disease at its website .

• ONLINE EXTRA | Hear the "whoop" - the signature sound of pertussis. (Note: Not all who catch the illness experience this symptom.)

The Health Department requires that children get vaccinated against pertussis. That is administered in the series of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccines given through age 6, and then as a booster shot at age 11 or 12.

But research has found the vaccine's protection wears off over time. That's why health officials recommend both children and adults get a booster shot for pertussis.

"One thing we see trending is adults tend to have a less severe disease than maybe a young infant or child, so they tend not to think pertussis right away" Duszynski said, referring to the symptoms and diagnosis of the illness.

Whooping cough cases in Indiana are down. This time last year, the state had recorded 457 cases, compared to 171 cases so far this year.

In 2010 there were 744 cases of whooping cough in Indiana. That was the highest number since 1959.

But with new cases starting to pop up in Hamilton County schools, the concern now is to keep the bacteria from spreading.

The Health Department recommends simple steps like washing your hands and covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing. For information on vaccination, contact your health care provider.