Whooping Cough Vaccines Available – A number of Bay Area counties are now offering free or discounted vaccines for whooping cough. The free vaccines are being offered to adolescents and adults. So far this year, more than four times the number of average cases have come through hospitals in the area. The state recently declared the outbreak of whooping cough as an epidemic. So far there have been 910 confirmed cases of the issue worldwide. Last year, there were only 219 cases. Five infants have died from whooping cough complications so far this year, up from zero last year. All of the infants that have died contracted the disease from their mothers or from other close family members.
It is clear that whooping cough has been spreading throughout the area, and officials have taken steps to ensure that the situation does not get any worse. If you believe that you or a family member may be suffering from whooping cough, it is important that you seek medical help right away, especially if you believe your infant may have developed whooping cough.
Babies who are less than 2 months old are especially susceptible to whooping cough, as their immune systems are very weak and they are too young to receive the vaccine. San Francisco is currently offering a $30 discount to all adults who want to take the whooping cough vaccine. This comes with a tetanus booster as well. With the discount, the total amount for the vaccine comes to only $35. It is a small price to pay to ensure that you do not have to deal with the complications of whooping cough.