SCIENCE FILE / An exploration of issues and trends affecting science, medicine and the environment. : New Whooping Cough Vaccine Is Safe and Effective, Study Says
<i> From Times staff and wire reports</i>
A new vaccine to prevent the potentially deadly whooping cough is effective in 71% of cases and produced no side effects, according to a study of 3,450 Swedish children. published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, causes a severe cough that lasts for about six weeks and can result in vomiting, choking, an inability to breathe and injury to the brain due to lack of oxygen. The vaccine used in the Swedish study is awaiting approval for use by the Food and Drug Administration.
