Tulane University's School of Medicine is being awarded a $8.5 million contract to develop a more effective and longer-lasting vaccine against whooping cough.
The National Institutes of Health awarded the funding to find a vaccine with a more potent immune response than what is currently available. Recently, there's been a spike in whooping cough, and it's believed to be because the current vaccine doesn't provide lasting immunity.
Researchers will test different versions of the vaccine delivered in nasal and oral formulas as well as injections.
Copyright © 2018 TTWN Media Networks LLC Photo: Getty Images