Whooping cough immunizations available

Last month, Secretary of Health Mary C. Selecky declared a whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic in Washington and 1,132 cases have been confirmed throughout the state. The epidemic has not yet reached Lincoln County, but surrounding counties have reported a total of 10 confirmed cases. Half of those were reported in Spokane county.

"In my 13 years as secretary this is the first time I've had to use the word 'epidemic' about disease in our state," said Selecky. "Pertussis is very serious, especially for babies. We've got to keep spreading the word to help prevent the spread of illness."

One week ago, Governor Chris Gregoire made $90,000 of emergency funds available to the state Department of Health to help curb the epidemic. This is in addition to the already existing $210,000 available and she is urging those who qualify to get vaccinated. Gregoire also announced federal approval for health officials to re-direct some funds to buy several thousand doses of pertussis vaccine for adults.

Additionally, Senator Maria Cantwell and health officials are formalizing a request from the state for a special team of investigators and epidemiologists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The team would assist in controlling the pertussis epidemic and help the state study and contain the disease.

The Lincoln County Health Department and the providers at North Basin Medical Clinics are recommending the following for immunizations:

Ages 7 through 18 years

• A dose of Tdap is recommended at age 11 or 12. This dose could be given as early as age 7 for children who missed one or more childhood doses of DTaP.

• Children and adolescents who did not get a complete series of DTaP shots by age 7 should complete the series using a combination of Td and Tdap.

Age 19 years and Older

• All adults should get a booster dose of Td every 10 years. Adults under 65 who have never gotten Tdap should get a dose of Tdap as their next booster dose. Adults 65 and older may get one booster dose of Tdap.

• Adults (including women who may become pregnant and adults 65 and older) who expect to have close contact with a baby younger than 12 months of age should get a dose of Tdap to help protect the baby from pertussis.

• Healthcare professionals who have direct patient contact in hospitals or clinics should get one dose of Tdap.

Pregnant Women

• Pregnant women who have never had a dose of Tdap should get one, after the 20th week of gestation and preferably during the 3rd trimester. If they do not get Tdap during their pregnancy they should get a dose as soon as possible after delivery. Pregnant women who have previously received Tdap and need tetanus or diphtheria vaccine while pregnant should get Td.

Tdap or Td may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

They stress that children who have already received the vaccine should receive a booster shot as the original vaccine can wear off over time. Babies under the age of 1 are especially susceptible to catching whooping cough and the outcome can be more severe for their age group.

"When adults get sick with whooping cough it can be miserable, but when babies get the disease, they often must be hospitalized because it can be fatal," said Jolene Erickson, public health nurse. "This is what we're trying to prevent."

Currently, North Basin Medical Clinics and the Lincoln County Health Department have roughly 40 vaccines available and urge all teens and adults to check their immunization status. Many health care providers, including North Basin Medical Clinics, use the state's immunization registry and can check which vaccines have been given. Most insurance carriers cover the whooping cough vaccine; adults should double check with their health plan. Whooping cough vaccines are available to all Washington children under 19 years old through health care provider offices participating in the state's Childhood Vaccine Program.