Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Lorna Benson
St. Paul, Minn.

Health officials urge pertussis booster shots

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

State and federal health officials are urging physicians and patients to get a booster vaccine to protect against pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

Minnesota is in its third year of a pertussis wave. More than 1,000 cases were reported in the state in each of the last three years.

Pertussis is a bacterial disease that causes a severe cough that can last four to six weeks or longer.

Kris Ehresmann, director of infectious disease for the Minnesota Department of Health, says pertussis can be deadly, especially for babies.

"We do know that pertussis is most severe in young infants. So the more disease we have, the greater likelihood that infants will be exposed and infected," she said. "We want to make sure we're doing everything we can to keep pertussis under control."

A pertussis outbreak in California led to the deaths of 10 infants last year.

A booster vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis has been available since 2005, and is recommended for children entering seventh grade and adults.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that children who never got a primary pertussis vaccination can now get the booster dose as early as age 7.