The Department of Health and Wellness and Health PEI have begun a program to enhance efforts of preventing pertussis illness, also known as whooping cough, in newborns, says Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram.
“A safe and effective vaccine to prevent pertussis is available, so we have expanded our vaccination program to improve protection for newborns,” says Minister Bertram.”This program will help to minimize the risk of infant infection and help protect our youngest Islanders.”
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious infection of the lungs and upper airway. It is caused by a bacteria and spread easily by coughing, sneezing and close contact. Pertussis is of particular concern in newborns as they can become extremely ill and develop serious complications like pneumonia, difficulty breathing, convulsions and permanent brain damage. Infants can die from pertussis even if they are treated with antibiotics or cared for in hospital.
“There has been a recurrence of high rates of pertussis in North America,” says Dr. Heather Morrison, Chief Public Health Officer. “Of particular concern are several recent infant deaths due to pertussis in both Western Canada and the United States, most of which have occurred in infants under three months of age.”
Infants in Prince Edward Island are routinely immunized against pertussis at ages two, four, six and 18 months and it is only after these four doses are given that an infant has received the best possible protection against pertussis illness. One booster dose of this vaccine in adulthood provides lifetime protection against pertussis.
The program to protect newborns from pertussis will focus on offering a free booster dose of pertussis vaccine to the baby’s parents and adults who have not had an adult dose and who will be in close contact with the baby (grandparents, significant care givers such as sitters). An infant is less likely to become ill with pertussis if those around him or her are protected from pertussis.
The pertussis vaccine will be offered in hospital to mothers after the birth of their babies. “We hope that the immunization given to mothers after they deliver and to other parents and caregivers will decrease the risk of illness or death related to pertussis in newborns,” says Dr. Morrison.
Fathers, partners and other significant caregivers are encouraged to contact their local Public Health Nursing office to obtain immunization against pertussis disease. They can receive the booster dose of vaccine at any time including prior to the birth of the infant.