California's response to the 2010 epidemic of pertussis, or whooping cough -- which resulted in 10 infant deaths and sickened about 9,000 residents statewide -- could be a model for the rest of the country. The state launched a large-scale public information campaign to warn residents about the epidemic and encourage them to get vaccinated, raised awareness about symptoms among physicians and clinics to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment and used federal funds to offer no-cost vaccines to local health departments and hospitals.