SAIPAN — The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation is actively monitoring for pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, in the CNMI after the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services confirmed additional cases this year.
As of March 27, there are no confirmed cases of pertussis in the CNMI. CHCC said the illness is highly contagious but preventable through vaccination.
Pertussis is a respiratory illness that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Early symptoms resemble a common cold, including a runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough that can persist for weeks or months. As the illness progresses, it can cause rapid, severe coughing fits sometimes followed by a distinctive whooping sound. Those at highest risk for severe illness include infants younger than 1 year old, individuals with weakened immune systems and those with moderate to severe asthma.
The CDC recommends a five-dose DTaP series for children between 2 months and 6 years of age. Adolescents aged 11 to 18 should receive a single Tdap dose, and adults should receive a Tdap booster every 10 years and during each pregnancy between 27 and 36 weeks’ gestation.
DTaP, Tdap and other routine vaccines are available at no cost to eligible children and adolescents ages 0 to 18 through the Vaccines for Children Program, which serves those enrolled in Medicaid or who are underinsured or uninsured. Vaccines are available at the CHCC Immunization Clinic, the Children’s Clinic, the Rota Health Center and the Lucia Chiang Villagomez Arizapa Health Center on Tinian. Additional VFC providers include Medical Associates of the Pacific, Marianas Medical Center, Kagman Isla Community Health, Southern Isla Community Health and Tinian Isla Community Health.
Adults aged 19 and older or those with insurance should contact their healthcare provider for vaccine availability and eligibility.