How can Pertussis be prevented?
The best way to prevent pertussis is to ensure that children receive the recommended vaccines to prevent this disease. Persons with pertussis should be isolated from other persons. After close contact exposure to an infected person, some protection may result if 14 days of antibiotics are quickly begun. Currently licensed pertussis containing vaccines are not administered to persons after their 7th birthday. All children and adults, should have received a primary series of 3 doses of a pertussis containing vaccine such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis vaccine (DTaP), Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis vaccine (DTP), or combinations of other vaccines which contain DTaP or DTP. The primary series is routinely given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age with a booster dose also being given at 12-18 months of age. DTaP is a preferred vaccine because fewer side effects occur. Some persons who cannot receive pertussis containing vaccine for specific medical reasons should rece
