As cases of Whooping Cough (pertussis) become more common around the province, health officials are urging parents to ensure that they and their children are fully vaccinated.
Young children are at the greatest risk from the highly contagious bacterial infection, making it essential that not only are they vaccinated, but that caregivers who might transmit the infection are as well.
"Unfortunately, those are the ones who are dying, those children below the age of six months," says Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu, the Sunrise Health Region's medical health officer. "To be more specific, all the deaths that have occurred in Saskatchewan in the last three years have occurred in infants aged less than three months. That is why it becomes very important for people to be immunized - not only children, but also adolescents and adults who are around small children."
No cases of pertussis have been reported in the Sunrise Health Region this year, but the disease is on the rise in Saskatchewan. About 120 cases have arisen in the province in 2010.
Vaccinations for pertussis are routinely administered to children at two, four, and six months, followed by boosters at 18 months, four years, and 14 years. Mothers are typically immunized shortly after giving birth, but other adults who come into close contact with children will need to seek out the vaccine.
Dr. Nsungu also urges parents to adhere to the immunization schedule for their children as directed.
The vaccine can be received at any of the Public Health Offices around the region.
