From the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health:
We have had over 50 cases of Pertussis in the county.
Pertussis is highly contagious and can be serious, even deadly for infants. Adolescents and adults who have not received a pertussis-containing vaccination since childhood are no longer immune to the illness; leaving them at risk to spread the disease to young children if they become ill with pertussis. The Health Department is encouraging individuals who have a persistent cough to contact their medical provider to be checked for Pertussis. The cough may have the following symptoms:
Cause coughing ‘fits,’ making it difficult to breathe.
Be more severe at night interfering with sleep.
Cause vomiting.
End with a high-pitched ‘whoop’ sound when breathing in after a series of coughs (this is most common among young children).
Pertussis can be prevented with a vaccine. Individuals in need of the pertussis (Tdap) vaccine should contact their medical provider or their local health department. The Cerro Gordo County Public Health Department’s Immunization Clinic offers the Tdap vaccine. The Immunization Clinic is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM – noon and 12:30 – 4:00 PM.
The Labor and Delivery gave me mine when my son was born. But he was born premature so they did it then. I didn’t have to wait to get a doctors appointment to get it done.
I heard that if an adult has had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years they are covered–the pertussis vaccine is included.
Anyone know if that is true?
My wife just had the shot at the Cerro Gordo Health Dept two weeks ago and they told her the tetanus shot and pertussa’s were combined. I don’t know about 5 years ago but I would think that is correct.
Anyone who works with the public and especially kids in daycare needs the shot. Come on people, this is a dangerous disease and was almost wiped out a few years ago but was reintroduced because of illegal immigrants who are not vacinated and are bringing it with them.