Whooping cough booster needed - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Whooping cough booster needed

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JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

Whooping cough cases reached peak levels over the past couple years.

Now experts at the CDC are learning what's behind the spike.

In a new study, researchers at the CDC studied cases of pertussis in fifteen counties in California in 2010.

They found children with whooping cough were less likely to have received all five doses of the vaccine.

They also found children who were vaccinated were coming down with the illness as it appears the vaccine loses effectiveness over time.

Experts say children who are fully vaccinated are protected from the virus more than 90% of the time.

However, five years after their last dose that number drops to 70%. Experts say a booster shot is recommended around age eleven.

Pregnant women and anyone caring for infants should also get a booster.

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