Which immunization is administered to protect against whooping cough?

The DTaP vaccine is specifically administered to protect against three serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be particularly severe in infants and young children, often leading to hospitalization and complications.

The DTaP vaccine is part of the routine immunization schedule for children, and it is recommended to be given in multiple doses during infancy and early childhood to ensure sufficient immunity. This vaccine utilizes inactivated components of the bacteria that cause pertussis to stimulate the body’s immune response without causing the disease itself.

In contrast, the MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, the Hib vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b infections, and the polio vaccine protects against poliomyelitis. Each of these vaccines targets different pathogens and does not confer protection against whooping cough. Thus, the DTaP vaccine is the correct choice for protecting against this specific infection.