Kelli Hawkins, SRHD | khawkins@srhd.org | 509.324.1539, c. (509) 994.8968

Spokane County Parents & Pregnant People Urged to Vaccinate

SPOKANE, Wash. – As of November 12, 2024, Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) has confirmed 123 cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, primarily among infants, toddlers, and school-aged children. Of those, six required hospitalizations. This is a significant increase from the zero cases reported this time last year.

The bacteria that causes whooping cough is spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs infectious droplets of moisture which are then breathed in by another person.

Although the disease may produce only a mild, persistent cough in adults or adolescents, young children exposed to the disease can be at risk for severe complications. Children who have not been immunized with at least the three-dose primary series of DTaP (diphtheria/tetanus acellular/pertussis) vaccine are the most vulnerable to the disease, which induces extreme, repeated coughing that can continue for weeks and in rare cases leads to asphyxiation, brain damage and death. The primary series of DTaP is typically administered at 2, 4 and 6 months of age with booster shots at 15-18 months, between 4 to 5 years of age, and again at 11 through 12 years. Additionally, adults should receive a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster every 10 years.

The first dose of DTaP vaccine cannot be given to newborns until they are 2 months old. To protect vulnerable infants, pregnant people should receive the Tdap vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of every pregnancy. By getting the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, the parent builds antibodies that are transferred to the baby to provide protection against whooping cough.

“Vaccination is the best way to prevent whooping cough and to protect those who are most vulnerable around us,” said Health Officer Dr. Francisco Velazquez. “At the end of the day, if we use all the tools available to us, including vaccination and good respiratory hygiene, then we can prevent the spread of communicable diseases.”

Velazquez recommended washing hands well and often, staying home and away from others when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and to seek health care right away if you have risk factors for severe illness.

To support those who are most affected by the current outbreak, SRHD has taken the following actions:

• Ensure accessible information about whooping cough and recommendations at srhd.org
• Collaboration with education partners
• Work with programs and providers who serve families with young children such as WIC and Nurse Family Partnership
• Access to vaccination through childhood vaccination clinics in Spokane County

The following resources from SRHD can provide more information:

• SRHD’s Pertussis (Whooping Cough) web page
  • Includes Pertussis Fact Sheet
• AAFP’s Receiving Tdap During Pregnancy
• The Journey of a Vaccine
• CDC’s Whooping Cough Vaccination

Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) is a leader and partner in public health by protecting, improving and promoting the health and well-being of all people through evidence-based practices. SRHD is one of 34 local public health agencies serving Washington state’s 39 counties. Visit www.srhd.org for comprehensive, updated information about SRHD and its triumphs in making Spokane a safer and healthier community. Like SRHD on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to receive safety and wellness tips.