The 19th Annual Immunize Georgia Conference Discuses Rise In Whooping Cough Cases

MACON , Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)-The 19th Annual Immunize Georgia Conference was held today at the Macon Marriott City Center. More than 400 nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and medical students attended. The conference was designed for health officials to learn about immunization
practices, updates, and to network.

Flu shots were also given at the conference. The main topic of discussion was the rise in whooping cough cases.

“The concerns are that the current vaccine may not protect as long as we would have liked compared to the older vaccines we use. We have a very safe and effective vaccine, but the protection may be dropping over time…over 2, 3, 4, 5 years,” said Dr. Raymond Strikas, Education Team Leader of the CDC.

“The majority of our whooping cough cases occur in those younger than 15 months. So, we need to make sure that we are protecting those who are not fully immunized at this time,” said Penny Conner, Nurse Educator for the Georgia Immunization Program.

According to the CDC, the number of cases of whopping cough is at the highest level it’s been in more than 50 years. Nearly 18,000 cases have been reported this year.