News
Outbreak of Whooping Cough in CA; Vaccination is Covered by Part D
August 26, 2010
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has recently announced a significant increase in the state’s Pertussis (whooping cough) case rate.
- More than 2,000 cases of whooping cough have been reported in California from January 1, 2010 through July 2010.
- The number of cases is up from 349 for the same period last year.
- California is on track to have the highest rate of whooping cough in more than 50 years.
In response to the outbreak, the CDPH recommended broader use of the whooping cough booster vaccine, Tdap.
Why get Vaccinated?
Vaccination of those over the age of 64 is important because:
- Neither prior vaccination nor having had whooping cough gives life-long immunity.
- Adults might not realize they have it. Whooping cough is under-diagnosed in adults and may present with milder symptoms.
- Infants under 3 months of age (the group most likely to be hospitalized and die from whooping cough) often get whooping cough from a household member or primary caregiver.
The Tdap vaccine is a Part D-covered drug.
Part D members can get the Tdap vaccine from a network pharmacy. The vaccine should be administered by a pharmacist who registered for vaccine administration or in a network provider’s office.
If you feel you may have whooping cough, please visit your doctor as soon as possible.