From The Archives: Protect your child from pertussis

Malaysian babies currently receive the DTap vaccine at two, three, five and 18 months of age, following the National Immunisation Programme. — AFP

Pertussis (whooping cough) is an “old” disease that has resurfaced despite effective triple antigen (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis, or DTaP) vaccination that is available nationwide.

It is a highly-contagious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.