T-Dap available, so now is the time to get vaccinated

Getting vaccinated is never fun, but can protect you and those around you from getting sick. McCook Gazette

Red Willow County Health Department

McCOOK,Nebraska -- According to the Center for Disease Control, "Pertussis is the most poorly controlled bacterial vaccine preventable disease in the United States."

Whooping cough can take a toll on anyone, but it can be deadly for young children. Today, there are cases in every state, and the country is on track to have the most reported cases since 1959. From January through September 2012, about 30,000 cases were reported, along with 14 deaths. Most of the deaths were among babies younger than 3 months old.

If you were immunized as a child, your protection diminishes as time passes. You are then at risk of catching and spreading pertussis. For older American's, protection from having had the disease in their youth also wanes, making them susceptible to contracting pertussis. Pertussis begins with symptoms similar to a cold. By the time the typical "whoop" develops the disease has been spreading for two or more weeks.

How can you protect yourself and help keep babies safe? The CDC recommends that anyone around babies get the whooping cough (Pertussis) vaccine at least two weeks before coming into close contact with an infant. In fact every adult is recommended to have one dose of Tdap to protect themselves, even if they're not going to be around babies. During pregnancy, moms will receive one dose of Tdap. They should also talk with others about getting their Tdap vaccine. This includes her spouse, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, babysitters, daycare staff, friends and neighbors. So even if you do not have children yourself, you still play an important part in protecting these babies and everyone around yourself!

The Red Willow County Health Department has vaccines available for the prevention of Pertussis ("whooping cough") for persons for persons of all ages:

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular Pertussis -- for ages 10 years and up)

DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and acellular Pertussis -- for ages 2 months to 6 years). These vaccines also prevent tetanus and diphtheria that are also important diseases to be prevented. There is not a single vaccine that is for Pertussis only.

Free vaccines are available through the Americas Program (adults) and the Vaccines for Children Program (children 18 years and under) for individuals who meet certain income and insurance guidelines. For those who do not meet the "free" requirements, the RW County Health Department is able to bill Blue Cross Blue Shield for those persons carrying BCBS Insurance. A cash price is also available.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact:

Red Willow County Health Department

(In the Age Complex at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds)

1400 West 5th Street -- McCook NE

(308-345-1790 or toll free 1-877-250-2057