Health Tip: Protect Baby from Whooping Cough

(HealthDay News) -- Vaccination is the best way to prevent whooping cough, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious disease that causes about half its victims aged 1 or younger to end up in the hospital, the agency says.

The CDC offers these suggestions to help protect your baby:

• Vaccinate - Women pass protection to their babies when they get the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy.
• Family members and caregivers also offer some protection by getting vaccinated.
• Babies should get vaccinated, beginning when they are 2 months old.