The Chief Medical Officer of Health is encouraging the public, especially pregnant people and people in close contact with infants, to be aware of symptoms related to pertussis (whooping cough) and to ensure vaccinations are up to date as cases continue to increase throughout the province.

As of May 9, 50 cases of pertussis have been reported in the province in 2024. Increases in pertussis cases are occurring in other areas of Canada and globally and Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services has advised the public of an outbreak of pertussis in the eastern zones of the province.

Pertussis is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and can lead to severe complications, especially in vulnerable populations. Symptoms may start with a runny nose, mild fever and cough, and progress to episodes of severe, prolonged coughing, often accompanied by a distinctive “whooping” sound during inhalation. Coughing can persist for up to eight weeks. Complications of pertussis include pneumonia, seizures and brain damage.

Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics, but vaccination is the most effective means of controlling the spread of pertussis. Pertussis vaccine is part of the province’s childhood immunization schedule and given at two, four, six, and 18 months, and at four to six years old. After this series of vaccines, the vaccine is 90 per cent effective. A pertussis booster is also given in Grade 9.

Pregnant people are vaccinated between 27 and 32 weeks of pregnancy regardless of vaccine history. Antibodies produced as an immune response to the vaccine are transferred to the fetus during pregnancy and protects most newborns up to two to three months of age.

Adults are recommended to receive a booster dose of the pertussis vaccine at least 10 years after their adolescent (Grade 9) vaccination.

For more information on pertussis vaccination schedules, symptoms, and preventive measures, please consult your healthcare provider or contact your local public health office.

If you are unsure if you are up to date with whooping cough vaccine or need to arrange immunization, individuals in the Eastern Urban and Rural zones may contact your local public health nursing office, or call 1-877-752-8171. Individuals in the Central, Labrador-Grenfell and Western Zones who have questions about pertussis booster/Tdap vaccine availability are asked to call their local public health clinic/community health office. For contact information, please refer to your zone’s website: Central, Labrador-Grenfell and Western.

-30-