Commentary: All parents should be vaccinated for whooping cough to help prevent the transmission to high risk patients such as infants that have not been fully vaccinated. The most vulnerable at risk group are babies less than 12 months. Pregnant women should all be vaccinated in the 3rd Trimester if they have not already been, this will allow transplacental transfer of moms’ antibodies to help protect their infants. The California experience is an illustration of the importance of safe preventative vaccination strategies to protect our infants.
Jeffrey A. Hirschfield, MD, CPI, ABLM 