Sounds of Pertussis

March of Dimes and sanofi pasteur are joining to raise awareness of a serious threat to the health of babies – pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection.  Babies under 6 months of age are at highest risk because they have not completed a full course of immunizations.  Complications can include pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death. 

There is an urgent need for more education about pertussis prevention because parents don’t realize that they can get pertussis and transmit the disease to unprotected infants.  When a source of an infant’s pertussis was identified, parents were responsible for transmitting the disease about half the time. 

Fortunately, there is a simple step that parents can take to help prevent pertussis and reduce the risk of transmission – get vaccinated with an adult pertussis booster.  

The campaign features an educational website, television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) in English and Spanish, and a four-part Spanish radio novela.

To access the PSAs, hear the sound of a baby with whooping cough, and  learn more about pertussis disease and its prevention, visit www.soundsofpertussis.com.

Related Links:  

Vaccinations and Pregnancy

Press Release about Sounds of Pertussis