New York City Proclaims August 20, 2009 'Pertussis Awareness Day'

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. and SWIFTWATER, Pa., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and while many people may associate vaccinations with babies, adults need immunizations, too. The "Sounds of Pertussis", a campaign from the March of Dimes and Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group, is educating adults about pertussis prevention, so that they can keep themselves healthy and reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to the infants in their lives.

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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090820/NY64026 )

While pertussis, which is more commonly known as whooping cough, is often mistaken for a common cold or bronchitis in adults, it can be potentially deadly in infants. Adults can contract pertussis and unknowingly pass it on to others, including babies, who have the most serious complications and highest death rates from the disease. Children are typically immunized against pertussis, but are not fully protected until after receiving three or four doses of the vaccine. Immunity from the childhood pertussis vaccine wears off over time in adults, and, unfortunately, most are not aware they need to get an adult pertussis booster.

To encourage adults to make sure they are up-to-date on their tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) booster, the Office of the Mayor of New York City has joined the "Sounds of Pertussis" campaign and proclaimed August 20, 2009 "Pertussis Awareness Day."

"There are many things to worry about as a parent, but getting pertussis and giving the disease to your own child shouldn't be one of them. That's why I felt it was so important to be part of this campaign," said Jennifer Lopez. "If you're around infants, you should talk to your health-care provider to make sure you've gotten a Tdap booster." Earlier this year, actress, singer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and mother Jennifer Lopez lent her voice to the "Sounds of Pertussis" campaign by appearing in a series of television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) available in both English and Spanish. The PSAs encourage anyone who is, or will be, in close contact with a young infant to get vaccinated against pertussis.

"We're very pleased to be working on a campaign that continues the March of Dimes' tradition of championing the health of all babies," said Alan R. Fleischman, M.D., senior vice president and medical director for the March of Dimes. "By vaccinating themselves against pertussis, parents are taking one of the most important steps they can to help protect themselves and their infants from a disease that has been on the rise for the past decade."

Pertussis Awareness Day Activities

Throughout the day on August 20, 2009, guests are invited to visit the "Sounds of Pertussis" exhibit at Military Island in Times Square (between 43rd and 44th Streets on Broadway). The exhibit will include large screen TVs featuring the Jennifer Lopez PSAs, a pertussis "transmission toss" game, and information about pertussis and adult vaccination. In addition, a costumed mascot in the form of a giant replica of the Bordetella pertussis bacterium will be present.