HOUSTON – (Apr. 23, 2010) – Physicians of all specialties who are interested in learning about the cocooning strategy for preventing pertussis in newborns can participate in an online continuing medical education (CME) program called “Cocooning: Targeted Immunization to Prevent Severe and Fatal Pertussis in Infants” provided by the Texas Medical Association (TMA). Learn more about this program.

The course includes a video presentation from C. Mary Healy, MD, director of Vaccinology and Maternal Immunization at the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Healy directs one of the largest cocoon strategy vaccination programs in the nation and administered the whooping cough booster vaccine, called Tdap, to more than 10,000 persons at Houston’s Ben Taub General Hospital beginning in 2008. She recently presented her program at a seminar held at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center in Round Rock, Texas. Her presentation and lecture were videotaped and are provided as part of the accredited program being offered online by the TMA.

The cocoon strategy is the process of vaccinating the baby’s mother and other adolescent and adult family members who will be in close contact with the infant, so that the baby is surrounded by family members who can not spread pertussis. Babies under six months old are too young to have received all three doses of the whooping cough vaccine, and studies show that more than 75 percent of infected babies get pertussis from family members.

“The idea behind the cocoon strategy is that the vaccinated family members can block transmission of the infection to the unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated infant,” said Dr Healy. “The response to this strategy has been very positive and we encourage physicians to share the information with their patients so they will understand how to protect their newborns.”

Using the cocoon strategy vaccination model to prevent whooping cough has been recommended by the CDC since 2006, but has not been implemented by health care organizations.

Dr. Healy said some regions of the country are experiencing an increase in pertussis because the vaccine most people received during childhood eventually wears off. Adolescents and adults who do not receive a booster vaccine are susceptible to this infection. In addition, young infants do not have full immunity until they have received three doses of the vaccine.

The TMA online CME program is available through March 1, 2013.

About the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research
The Vaccine Awareness and Research Center at Texas Children’s Hospital promotes healthier children and families. This is done by providing parents and health care professionals with the latest information and recommendations on vaccines for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women and adults through its Web site, www.vaccine.texaschildrens.org and by conducting research that contributes to effective vaccine delivery models. An ongoing program, the center is the creation of four Texas Children’s Hospital physicians who are experts in the fields of vaccine education and research, pediatrics, infectious diseases and adolescent medicine.

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to a community of healthy children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education and research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children’s is ranked in the top 10 best children’s hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Texas Children’s also operates the nation’s largest primary pediatric care network, with over 40 offices throughout the greater Houston community. Texas Children’s has embarked on a $1.5 billion expansion, Vision 2010, which includes a neurological research institute, a comprehensive obstetrics facility focusing on high risk births, and a community hospital in suburban West Houston. Get the latest Texas Children’s news on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tch_news