SCHUMER
REVEALS: NUMBER OF WHOOPING COUGH CASES IN NEW YORK HAVE TRIPLED IN THE LAST
YEAR; CALLS ON CDC TO WORK WITH STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE FREE
VACCINES AT LOCAL FACILITIES
According to CDC, This Could Be Worst Year for Whooping Cough in the US in More
than 50 Years; So Far in 2012 Alone There Have Been 1,288 Cases Reported in New
York State, 186 in New York City and 333 on Long Island
Schumer To Call on CDC to Implement Three-Part Plan to Combat Trend: Work To
Provide Free Vaccinations and Establish Local Clinics, Launch a Public
Information Campaign Targeted to Adults Who Have Not Been Vaccinated Since the
Age of 18, And Ensure Adequate Supplies of Vaccinations are Available
Nationwide
Schumer: Whooping Cough Is Very Contagious and Particularly Dangerous to
Infants; Adults at Risk, Too, Because Vaccine Wears Off
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to launch an all out effort in New York and around the country to combat the startling rise in cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. Whooping cough is a transmissible disease that can strike individuals of any age, but is particularly dangerous to children. According to the CDC, the United States is headed for its worst year for whooping cough in more than 50 years, and in New York, there has been a threefold increase in cases from 2011 to 2012.
Recent reports have suggested that one of the causes for the spike in cases of whooping cough is related to adults who have not been vaccinated since the age of 18 contracting the disease, and then transferring it to children. The whooping cough vaccine wears off over time and booster shots are essential for added protection from the virus.
Schumer called on the CDC to put in place a three-part plan for combating the disease in New York. First, he called on the CDC to work with the state health department to provide free vaccinations and establish clinics to administer booster shots to adults; second, he called for the launch a public information campaign targeted to adults who have not been vaccinated since the age of 18; and third, he urged the CDC to ensure that there is ample supply and easy distribution of the vaccines nationwide.
"Whooping cough is rearing its ugly head and we need to get on top of this highly contagious disease before it becomes too big to control. It is not simply a nuisance, it can be deadly," said Schumer. "The spike in cases over the last year is reaching epidemic proportions and because of the dangers it poses, particularly to small children, we must act aggressively and quickly. The vaccine wears off over time so we must rapidly increase the number of booster shots and vaccines, and educate families about the dangers of whooping cough. We must also ensure we have ample supply of vaccine to hopefully curb this dangerous trend before it becomes even worse."
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial disease which affects all age groups, although it is more dangerous for young children and the elderly. Because the early symptoms of whooping cough are mild, including coughing and cold-like symptoms, it is difficult to detect and often confused with the common cold. It can be distinguished from the cold by the characteristic 'whooping' sound when coughing, made especially by young children. Vaccine treatments of five doses are given to children, but the effectiveness of the vaccine decreases over time and adults should be encouraged to have booster shots so as not to infect young children.
According to the CDC, the number of cases of whooping cough nationwide is at its highest levels in over 50 years, with more than 18,000 cases reported this year so far - more than twice the number seen at this point in 2011. The problem is particularly bad in New York State, which according to the CDC has seen a three-fold increase in the number of cases of whooping cough from 2011 to 2012. In 2012 alone, according to the New York State Health Department there have been 1,288 cases in New York State, 187 in New York City and 333 on Long Island.
Schumer, in a letter to CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, urged the agency to put in place a three-part plan for combating whooping cough in New York and across the country. First, Schumer urged the CDC, in partnership with the state health department, to establish clinics to provide free access to the vaccine. Schumer urged the CDC to consider establishing clinics in local schools, community health centers, or any highly trafficked and easily accessible location deemed appropriate.
Secondly, because of the fact that increased levels of infection have been linked to adults who have not been vaccinated since the age of 18, Schumer is urging the CDC to launch an aggressive public information campaign aimed at adults. He pointed out that campaigns are often focused on inoculating children, and while that effort is vital, in this case, targeting adults and adolescents is just as important.
Lastly, Schumer urged the CDC to ensure that whooping cough vaccines, DTaP, DT, Tdap and Td, are available in sufficient quantities and that a robust distribution plan in place to quickly target states with high levels of infection. Schumer urged the agency to ensure that suppliers are producing the needed number of vaccine treatments to ensure that its growing demand is met, so that shortfalls that were experienced during the outbreak of H1N1 don't occur.
A copy of Schumer's letter to the CDC can be found below.
Dear Dr. Frieden:
I write today to respectfully urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create and implement a plan to address the recent record-breaking outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as the whooping cough, in New York. As you know, pertussis is highly transmissible and can affect all ages.
Since January 2008 there have been over 800 confirmed cases of pertussis or whooping cough in New York City and in 2012 alone there have been 1,288 cases in New York State. As your own agency noted, New York has seen a threefold increase in the number of cases from 2011-2012. Vaccines are a vital part of public health and a cost effective way to prevent diseases such as Pertussis. According to the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, for each birth cohort vaccinated in accordance with the routine childhood immunization schedule, society saves $43.3 billion and health care costs are reduced by $9.9 billion.
We request that you put in place a plan for increasing the availability of free vaccines throughout New York and urge you to work with New York State to establish local clinics where adults that need boosters or children who have not been vaccinated can easily obtain them. I would urge you to consider establishing these clinics in local schools, community health centers, or any highly trafficked and easily accessible location that the CDC and the State Health Department deems appropriate.
Recent reports have suggested that one of the causes in the spike in cases on pertussis over the last year is related to adults who have not been vaccinated since the age of 18 contracting the disease, and then transferring it to children. I would urge the CDC to launch a public information campaign targeting all adults who have not been vaccinated for pertussis since the age of 18 and urge them to receive a booster shot.
I also request for CDC's assistance in ensuring that the supply and distribution of the vaccines, DTaP, DT, Tdap and Td, for pertussis are of ample quantities to treat the growing number of cases as well as use all measures available to ensure the future of the supply chain. Please notify me as to the amount of these vaccines that currently exist and are available for distribution.
We ask that you work with the New York State Department of Health to help assess the root cause of the outbreak and provide public health officials and health provider's additional information and best practices to help ensure public health and safety. It is important to address pockets of need and populations such as adults and adolescents, where an alarming number of new cases are found. The built in networks of schools and community centers should be targeted for the dissemination of information.
I applaud the New York State Department of Health for their swift and efficient response to this outbreak. The dedicated staff at the state level have worked diligently to provide necessary public health services to our shared constituency. In recognition of the coordinated efforts that have already been put into place, it is imperative that a comprehensive plan is to put in place without delay. It is of critical importance to the health of New York residents to act promptly to curb the spread of this disease.
Thank you for your consideration of this important and very timely request. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.