The previous Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health-Santé Sud encourages all adults to get at least one shot for whooping cough. Dr. Shelley Buchan says adults in this province are now entitled to one free shot in their lifetime.

She explains whooping cough is a bacterial disease, spread easily between people through coughing. It starts off very mild, with cold-like symptoms and then progresses to a very severe cough that leads to coughing fits that leave people gasping for air.

According to Dr. Buchan, it is an illness that can last between two and three months. She says it can be controlled through vaccinations.

"The person that's most at risk are the infants and that's because their airwaves are not large enough to be able to take the illness and being able to get their breath back in. Small children, particularly under the age of six months, are often hospitalized if they get infected with whooping cough."

Buchan says there is a very effective vaccine that requires multiple doses, especially for children because their immune system is still developing. It is provided free of charge for infants as part of their immunization schedule at two months, four months, six months and eighteen months and then at school entry and again at either grade eight or nine.

"Now adults are also eligible for one free dose during their lifetime. That is very beneficial because we know that some of the immunity will wane over time, so getting that adult dose will help adults to protect themselves of getting infected which of course means that they are not going to infect the very young."

It's recommended that adults look for an opportunity through public health or their health care provider, physicians or nurse practitioners to get the shot. Buchan says this is especially the case if there is a new baby in the family or if you are grandparents of a new grandchild.