By the way, doctor: Do I need a booster vaccination against whooping cough?
In 2007, there were 10,454 reported cases of whooping cough — six times the number in 1980. Experts believe that most cases go unreported. Several factors could account for the resurgence of this disease. A combined vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (referred to as DTaP) is recommended for children ages 2 months to 6 years, but it's given as a five-shot series, and many children miss the final dose. Some aren't vaccinated at all. In addition, the protection offered by the vaccine lasts only five to 10 years. Consequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that teenagers — and adults up to age 64 who weren't immunized as teens — receive a one-time booster shot against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in a combined vaccine called Tdap.
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