Douglas County health experts said it is important to know how to protect your kids from whooping cough, especially after a case was recently reported.A student at Millard North Middle School had pertussis right before summer break. The school sent a letter home to parents.The 11- to 12-year range is right about when children need a booster shot.“So our immunity, our immunity to pertussis tends to wane after a few years, and that's even if you're vaccinated or even if you've had the illness. That's why we recommend that people get booster shots throughout their lives,” said Dr. Anne O'Keefe, with the Douglas County Health Department.Whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies and pregnant women. Cold-like symptoms get worse after a week or two.Thick mucus causes uncontrollable coughing and vomiting. Your child's face may turn red or blue and they may be extremely tired.Contact your doctor for further questions. Antibiotics do work against pertussis.

Douglas County health experts said it is important to know how to protect your kids from whooping cough, especially after a case was recently reported.

A student at Millard North Middle School had pertussis right before summer break. The school sent a letter home to parents.


The 11- to 12-year range is right about when children need a booster shot.

“So our immunity, our immunity to pertussis tends to wane after a few years, and that's even if you're vaccinated or even if you've had the illness. That's why we recommend that people get booster shots throughout their lives,” said Dr. Anne O'Keefe, with the Douglas County Health Department.

Whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies and pregnant women. Cold-like symptoms get worse after a week or two.

Thick mucus causes uncontrollable coughing and vomiting. Your child's face may turn red or blue and they may be extremely tired.

Contact your doctor for further questions. Antibiotics do work against pertussis.