The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur, has recently launched a new Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine) awareness campaign. The campaign focuses on the importance of disease prevention through vaccination.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a serious infection that spreads easily from person to person. The infection can cause coughing spells that are so severe that it can be hard to breathe, eat, or sleep. It is now known that protection from childhood whooping cough vaccination fades with time and a booster for adolescents and adults is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, many remain unvaccinated and at risk for catching and spreading the infection.
The NFID has developed the following resources to help spread the word about pertussis prevention:
- 30 second video: A public service announcement which emphasizes the importance of adults and adolescents receiving pertussis containing vaccines to prevent the spread of whooping cough to infants who have not had all of their vaccines.
- “Protecting Your Children’s Health Through the Holidays”: A guest blog by Danielle Lucia Shaffer which highlights the need for families to ensure that they are up-to-date on their Tdap vaccine as we enter the busy holiday season.
To share whooping cough-related posts, follow NFID on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.