A 5-week-old baby has died from whooping cough, San Diego County health officials said Monday.
The newborn, who was otherwise healthy, died July 15 from the disease, which is also referred to as pertussis. It’s the first infant death from whooping cough in San Diego since 2010 and the second this year in the state, officials said.
Further details on the baby's death weren't revealed.
Health officials said it’s critical that pregnant women and people who come into close contact with infants get vaccinated to protect against whooping cough.
Newborns are extremely susceptible to whooping cough because they are too young to be fully vaccinated.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all young children receive five doses of DTaP by kindergarten and all students entering seventh grade need proof of a whooping cough booster immunization.
In addition, a Tdap booster is recommended for pregnant women during their third trimester.
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For more information on whooping cough and vaccinations, call the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency's immunization branch at 866-358-2966.
