Now is the perfect time to make sure your kids are up to date on protection against whooping cough. Also known as pertussis, whooping cough is easily spread and can cause serious illness especially for babies. About a third of babies under age 1 with whooping cough need treatment in a hospital.

Texas is reporting about three times as many pertussis cases this year compared to last year, and the state public health agency issued a health alert on Nov. 12 encouraging immunization.

The whooping cough immunization is recommended for:

• Babies at 2, 4, and 6 months of age
• Toddlers between 15 and 18 months of age
• Young children between 4 and 6 years old
• Preteens between 11 and 12 years old
• Pregnant women during 27-36th week of pregnancy

Adults who haven’t received an immunization can also get one any time.

Call (979) 732-2318 to schedule a whooping cough immunization at the Columbus Medical Clinic.

Give your child a healthy head start.

Dr. Aboelella is now seeing patients 18 and under at the Columbus Medical Clinic.

Check out resources and guides to make the most of your child’s primary care visit.