LAOAG CITY, April 9 -- Expectant mothers and children can get vaccinated for free against pertussis at the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Ilocos Norte and at municipal health offices.

A six-week old is already eligible for the pentavalent vaccine while those aged 1 to 6 years may get booster doses.

The vaccine protects against diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, hib (influenza B) and hepatitis B.

"We are doing our best to prevent the entry of this disease to our province and the best way to prevent it is to get vaccinanted," PHO officer-in-charge Dr. Rickson Balalio said in an interview Tuesday.

Balalio explained that pertussis, or whooping cough, causes clean, squeezed breathing after coughing.

Affected children may experience apnea o...