Seniors Urged to Get Whooping Cough Vaccine
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
In what could be the worst year for whooping cough in more than five decades, California public health officials broadened recommendations for those who should be immunized against the disease to include seniors and women in their childbearing years. As of Friday, there were 1,496 confirmed cases in California of whooping cough, the familiar name for pertussis -- a fivefold increase over last year. The state has declared the outbreak an epidemic. "Considering that immunity from pertussis vaccine or disease wears off and that most adults are susceptible to pertussis, now is the time for Californians to get immunized to protect themselves and their families," said Dr. Gilberto Chávez, the state's epidemiologist. "In particular, all family members and caregivers of infants should get the booster vaccine."
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (July 20, 2010)
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From the NAELA eBulletin July 20, 2010 -- A weekly newsletter by Professor Kim Dayton, David McGuffey, CELA, and Rajiv Nagaich. The eBulletin is published by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is a benefit of NAELA membership.