Statewide Iowa — Iowans are hearing plenty about flu shots and COVID-19 boosters, but a lung doctor says another vaccine needs to share the spotlight.
It’s called T-Dap, for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos a spokesman for the American Lung Association in Iowa, says pertussis or whooping cough can lead to life-threatening problems.
While you may have had a T-Dap or similar vaccine as a child, he says the effectiveness wears off as the years go by and most grown-ups could use another vaccine.
Pertussis is a serious respiratory illness that’s easily spread from person to person. It can lead to severe and even life-threatening problems, especially for people with chronic lung conditions.
The Lung Association says people with asthma are four times more likely to have increased risk of infection and complications if diagnosed with pertussis.
For more information, visit lung.org/pertussis
