Pertussis

EDITOR: Our daughter, who lives in Canada, will be giving birth soon, and as my husband and I are planning on visiting to meet the newest addition to the family. She has asked us to please get our booster shot for pertussis (whooping cough). In Canada, pertussis, along with diphtheria and tetanus (or the TDaP), is part of the standard vaccination protocol for children. Adults are advised to get the booster every 10 years to ensure continued immunity.

In light of our upcoming travel, I spoke with my physician. She advised me to visit a clinic. We visited a clinic. Nope. No pertussis for adults. They advised us to visit a government clinic. We did. Nope. No adult pertussis vaccine. They suggested checking with one of the major pharmacies in Kingstown. Nope. No adult pertussis vaccine.

This is totally unbelievable! Why, you ask? Adults are the most common source of pertussis infection in infants. Infants are at the greatest risk of serious complications, including death, from whooping cough. Approximately half of infants less than one year of age who get whooping cough are hospitalized.** And even if pertussis is deemed ‘eradicated’ in this country, what about those Vincentians who frequently travel abroad?

What is the Ministry of Health’s position on this?

Booster Needed