Actress and mother of two Sarah Michelle
Gellar is joining March of Dimes and Sanofi Pasteur on the Sounds of Pertussis®Campaign to help raise awareness about pertussis, also known as whooping cough,
and the importance of adult vaccination. Pertussis is on the rise across the
U.S., and infants and young children may be most vulnerable.
To view the multimedia content associated with this release,
please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/61367-sanofi-pasteur-sounds-of-pertussis/
"The reality is that parents,
grandparents and other family members may unknowingly spread pertussis to the
babies in their lives," said Sarah Michelle Gellar. "That's why I was
vaccinated and so was my family to help protect ourselves and to help stop the
spread of the disease to my two children. Now, as the National Sounds of
Pertussis Campaign Ambassador I'm urging adults everywhere to do the
same."
Pertussis is a highly contagious and often
serious disease, especially in young children. In 2012, there were more than
41,000 reported pertussis cases and 18 deaths in the U.S., with more than 83
percent of deaths occurring in infants younger than 12 months of age. Infants
are particularly vulnerable to pertussis because they don't begin receiving
their own vaccinations until they are two months old and may not be protected
until they have received at least three doses of the infant DTaP (diphtheria,
tetanus and acellular pertussis) vaccine. Researchers found that in cases where
it could be determined how an infant caught pertussis, family members were
responsible for spreading the disease to the baby up to 80 percent of the time.
More specifically, parents were responsible up to 50 percent of the time.
"Immunity from early childhood pertussis
vaccinations wears off after about five to 10 years, meaning even adults who
were immunized as children may no longer be protected," said Siobhan M.
Dolan, M.D., medical advisor to March of Dimes. "The best way for adults
to help protect themselves and to help prevent the spread of the disease is to
ensure they are vaccinated."
Gellar is encouraging parents of infants
everywhere to use the Campaign's new Facebook application – the Breathing Room
– that allows parents to send a brief message to family and friends in their
Facebook network asking them to make the pledge to be vaccinated against
pertussis before meeting the newborn in their life. Parents can personalize
their own Breathing Room and help keep track of who in their child's circle of
care has been, or pledges to be, vaccinated against this potentially fatal disease
by populating their baby's virtual nursery with pictures of their family and
friends from their Facebook network.
To learn more about the Sounds of Pertussis Campaign, please
visit www.SoundsOfPertussis.com. The
website provides resources and educational tools, including information on the
new Breathing Room Facebook app. Build a Breathing Room at www.SoundsOfPertussis.com/BreathingRoom.
About Pertussis
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious and often serious disease, especially in young children. In adolescents and adults it is usually presented as a severe cough that may last for weeks and even months. Pertussis is caused by bacteria called Bordetella pertussis, found in the mouth, nose and throat of the person with the disease; it is spread through contact with respiratory droplets generated when that person coughs or sneezes. Pertussis disease can be treated with antibiotics. If caught early enough, antibiotic treatment may help lessen disease severity. Antibiotic therapy also helps reduce transmission and is important for disease control.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious and often serious disease, especially in young children. In adolescents and adults it is usually presented as a severe cough that may last for weeks and even months. Pertussis is caused by bacteria called Bordetella pertussis, found in the mouth, nose and throat of the person with the disease; it is spread through contact with respiratory droplets generated when that person coughs or sneezes. Pertussis disease can be treated with antibiotics. If caught early enough, antibiotic treatment may help lessen disease severity. Antibiotic therapy also helps reduce transmission and is important for disease control.
About the Sounds of
Pertussis® Campaign
The Sounds of Pertussis® Campaign is a national education campaign from March of Dimes and Sanofi Pasteur to help raise awareness about the potential dangers of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, and the importance of adult tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination.
The Sounds of Pertussis® Campaign is a national education campaign from March of Dimes and Sanofi Pasteur to help raise awareness about the potential dangers of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, and the importance of adult tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination.
Started in 2009, the Campaign continues to
help educate parents, grandparents, caregivers and others in close contact with
infants about the importance of getting vaccinated with the adult Tdap vaccine
to help protect themselves and to help stop the spread of the disease to
infants.
About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading non-profit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premiere event, March for Babies©, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
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