The Chicago Department of Public Health is offering families access to the pertussis vaccine for no out-of-pocket cost in recognition of National Infant Immunization Week.
Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, causes uncontrollable, violent coughing, which can persist for weeks or months. The bacterial illness is spread by person-to-person contact, sneezing or coughing. Infants, young children and the elderly are at the highest risk for complications.
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"The number of pertussis cases has increased every year since 2014," said Marielle Fricchione, MD, medical director of the immunization program at CDPH. "Like most of the nation, Chicago has seen high numbers of whooping cough cases, but there is a vaccine that will help protect us. Get vaccinated and help Chicago whip the whooping cough."
To learn more about pertussis, click here.
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