How common is pertussis in adults and is a vaccine recommended?

There doesn't seem to be a lot of cases of whooping cough in the population now, as well as in adults, due to the advent of getting immunized and immunization for the pertussis toxin. There are, however, sporadic cases of whooping cough in adults, especially in individuals who are immunocompromised or those who were not immunized for the pertussis toxin--this number is not that high, though.

Getting immunized for whooping cough, specifically for the toxin, has been included in the "shots list" for kids at a young age to stimulate immunity--the vaccine is in the form DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tuberculosis toxins). It is, of course, highly recommended to get vaccinated not just for whooping cough but for other available vaccines as well, since this supplements the immune system to create memory cells for the various toxins that may come in contact to a person. If the adult already had the shot or was vaccinated already, and it has been at least 10 years or so since it was given, then a booster shot is recommended as well; for pertussis, I believe it is called DTaP, with aP for attenuated pertussis toxin.

Hope this helps!

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