Not all celebrities oppose vaccines and the good sense of science. At CNN.com, actress Sarah Michelle Gellar has an op-ed as a spokesperson for an anti-pertussis awareness campaign organized by Sanofi Pasteur and The March of Dimes.
A 2012 pertussis outbreak in the US was one of the largest in about 50 years.
The CDC recommends adults, especially those in contact with an infant, receive a single dose of the Tdap vaccine because immunity from early childhood pertussis vaccinations wears off over time. After about five to 10 years, adults are left susceptible to the disease, which they can then transmit to others.
At the end of the day, our children are the greatest gift we can receive. Although pertussis may be on the rise nationwide, there are simple steps you can take as an adult to help protect yourself and to help stop the spread of the disease to infants. This includes making sure everyone who comes in contact with your baby — including yourself — is up to date on their vaccinations.
More: soundsofpertussis.com
[HT: Liz Szabo]