Pertussis Vaccination at Home

Pertussis vaccination is a vaccine that protects against pertussis bacteria. The bacteria causes a severe respiratory tract disease called whooping cough, lasting almost 100 days. That’s why it is also called the 100 days cough. It is very troublesome to the child and mother. The child will have coughing episodes in the night and vomiting shortly after. The infection weakens the child’s immune system and increases susceptibility to other conditions.

All children from 1-2 years should get vaccinated. The infection is more common and severe in childhood. Any teen or adult not immunized against the disease must get vaccinated as they can get infected at any age. Pertussis is caused when droplets of an infected person enter a healthy person by ingestion or inhalation. These droplets cause inflammation and infection of the respiratory tract. The bacteria responsible is called Bordetella pertussis, found in the infected person’s throat, mouth and nose.