Pertussis Information

Pertussis (whooping cough) is at high levels in Alaska. Get protected!
Click for Case Counts Pertussis is a highly contagious disease caused by a bacteria that affects the lungs. While usually mild for adults, it can be deadly for very young children. Pertussis is spread through the air in droplets produced during coughing or sneezing. The best way to prevent pertussis is for all children to be fully vaccinated on time and for adolescents and adults to get a booster shot.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others
Pertussis vaccine is safe, prevents disease, and saves lives. Widespread use of pertussis vaccine has helped reduce deaths and cases of pertussis by 90% over the years. In spite of this, numbers are increasing again, both in Alaska and across the United States.

Are you up to date? Act now to get vaccinated! Unimmunized adults and children can spread the disease to young children, who may be too young for the vaccine, and who are more likely to have severe illness and bad outcomes from pertussis.

Resources for the General Public

Where to get vaccinated
The best place to start is with your primary healthcare provider. Additionally, many local pharmacies offer pertussis vaccination. Click Here for information on State supplied vaccines for uninsured/underinsured individuals. Click here for the State of Alaska Immunization Homepage
Pertussis factsheet and FAQs
Information for close contacts to patients diagnosed with pertussis
Listen to an adult or child with pertussis