Whooping Cough on the Rise; Free Vaccine for Limited Time
Whooping Cough (pertussis) cases are increasing across the country and North Carolina. A Forsyth County infant, just two-months old, recently died from Whooping Cough. Newborns and infants have not completed the series of vaccinations that would protect them, making them vulnerable to this disease.
Please use your networks to get this Whooping Cough Flyer into the hands of child care providers, home visitors and others who work with infants as quickly as possible. By age 11, children should receive the Tdap booster, but it’s never too late for teenagers or adults to receive the booster if they haven’t already. Many adults who had the vaccine as children have not received the booster. These adults can develop whooping cough where the symptoms are so mild, they can unknowingly spread whooping cough to babies in their care.
At the present time free Tdap vaccinations may be available from both clinics and private health care providers. New federal regulations may restrict the availability of these free immunizations to underinsured or uninsured patients only beginning October 1st. Patients are advised to check with their clinic or physician’s office.
Download the Whooping Cough Flyer.
