The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency is reporting an increase of pertussis, or whooping cough, cases in the county.  Two of the cases were confirmed for children on Camp Pendleton.
     
Pertussis is especially dangerous to infants, although anyone can become ill.
     
The NHCP medical staff encourages all children enrolled to the hospital and its clinics to get vaccinated as this is the best way to prevent getting pertussis.  In addition, parents, family members and caregivers of infants need to be vaccinated or get a booster shot.
     
Pregnant women may be vaccinated against pertussis before pregnancy, during pregnancy or after giving birth.  Fathers and siblings may be vaccinated at any time, preferably before the birth of a new baby.
     
Beneficiaries enrolled to NHCP can be vaccinated either by appointment or on a walk-in basis at their primary care clinic during normal clinic hours. To make an appointment, call (760) 725-HELP (4357), option one.
     
Active duty military members serving in the Camp Pendleton area should go to their respective Regimental Aid Station, Battalion Aid Station or medical homeport team to be vaccinated.
     
All TRICARE beneficiaries not enrolled to NHCP should contact their network Primary Care Provider or a local public health center for information about how to get vaccinations.
          
For further information on pertussis, please visit the below links:
California Department of Public Health at www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Pertussis.aspx, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pertussis/ or the San Diego Department of Public Health immunizations site at www.sdiz.org/Community/IZ-Clinics.html or (866) 358-2966.