Whooping-cough booster shots urged in Salt Lake County

Pertussis cases — whooping cough — have tripled in Utah this year over years past. The Salt Lake Valley Health Department recently reported a jump in Salt Lake County from 19 cases through May 17, 2004, to 67 cases so far this year.

The first booster shot to protect adolescents against whooping cough was approved earlier this month. Now health officials are strongly urging parents to take advantage of it.

Next week, the Boostrix vaccine will be available in Salt Lake Valley Health Department clinics for $43 a dose. The Adacel booster will arrive later this summer.

The vaccinations given to babies and toddlers wears off, usually between 10 and 15 years old.

Pertussis is not usually as dangerous to older children as it is to infants, whom it can kill. But they can easily spread the illness to siblings who have not been vaccinated.

The Boostrix vaccine is for use in those 10 to 18 years old, while the Adacel vaccine, expected to win approval in the next few weeks, will be available to those 11 to 64.

Pertussis is a bacterial infection. The cold-like symptoms lead to fits of coughing that may leave patients gasping for air — creating the distinctive "whoop." Infants are more likely to turn bluish as they run out of air and can quickly become dehydrated, malnourished and get pneumonia.

Parents may call their private provider or the SLVHD at 801-534-4693 to ensure vaccine availability.