Amador County - The Amador County Public Health Department announced this week that they will hold one more comprehensive flu clinic designed in part to prevent rising rates of whooping cough throughout the state.
Diane Evensen, the department’s health educator, said Tuesday there are currently over 5,900 reported cases of the virus in California, up drastically from 3,834 cases in late September. California is on track to have more cases of whooping cough this year than any other year since 1958.
Also known as pertussis, the last major wave of infections was in 2005 with 25,000 cases reported nationwide and approximately 3,000 cases in California. ¶ There are currently no cases in Amador County.
“Vaccinations are so important for the prevention piece of the puzzle,” said Evensen. “Pertussis is tragically lethal to infants, and the sad thing is it’s completely preventable.”
She said rates are highest in infants under six years of age because their young systems have yet to develop a natural immunity to the virus. Infants typically get three doses of the vaccine but are not fully protected until after 5 months.
Known medically as pertussis, the disease is considered incredibly contagious, affecting close to 90 percent of those exposed to it, says the CDC. Close to 70 percent of infants under age 1 are hospitalized.
The clinic will offer the “Tdap” vaccine booster for tetanus and pertussis. The Tdap is for people 11 years old and older.
Other vaccines available include the FluMist nasal vaccine, intended for healthy people ages 2 through 49 years old. Also available is the flu vaccine for individuals over 6 months of age who are not eligible for a nasal vaccine.
Pneumonia vaccine shots are available for people 50 years old and older with chronic lung disease.
The clinic takes place November 30th at the Health and Human Services Building, 10877 Conductor Boulevard in Sutter Creek. Flu vaccines can also be received at regular immunization clincs held every first, third and fourth Tuesdays. Call 223-6407 for more information.
Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
