Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After fits of many coughs, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breathes which result in a "whooping" sound. Pertussis most commonly affects infants and young children and can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age.

The best way to protect against pertussis is immunization. TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine is available for children and those who fall in the high risk category as identified by the CDC guidelines

The Marquette County Health Department's Personal Health Services Division provides a wide variety of services including immunizations. All Personal Health Services are offered by appointment five days a week. For more information regarding immunizations or any of our programs, please contact:  

Marquette County Health Department
Division of Personal Health
184 US Highway 41 East
Negaunee, Michigan 49866
(906) 475-7844 (phone)
(906) 475-4435 (fax)

Recommended Immunization Schedules

Pertussis Fact Sheet

 CDC's Pertussis Information

Michigan Department of Community Health Pertussis Information

Immunization Action Coaltion Pertussis Videos

In response to several vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in their jurisdiction, St. Clair County has developed a video with personal stories from those who have been affected by vaccine-preventable diseases.

MDCH spliced this video into a smaller segment focused on pertussis disease and posted it on their YouTube website. In February 2010, Justine lost her 3-month-old son, Collin, to pertussis. This video tells Justine’s story.

St. Clair Video