Amador County - Amador County Public Health Department will hold another free Tdap clinic in response to a whooping cough epidemic in California which health officials are calling the worst in 50 years. So far, seven infants have died in the state. Three cases have been confirmed in Amador County. In response, Amador County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann is spreading the word about awareness and prevention. “The number of whooping cough cases reported this year is seven times greater than last year in the state,” said Hartmann recently. “All seven deaths reported in California were infants under three months old.” Hartmann said whooping cough is the leading vaccine-preventable disease. 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 a year old are hospitalized. Babies are particularly susceptible because they have no natural immunity to whooping cough. According to state reports, the number of whooping cough cases tends to peak every two to five years. “We usually see an up tick in the number of whopping cough cases every 2 to 5 years,” said Joanne Hasson, Amador County Public Health Nurse. “It’s cyclical and not unusual.” In anticipation of the outbreak, Amador County has stocked up on Tdap, the most common vaccine for the highly contagious disease. Hasson said the youngest children get a slightly different formulation. She said a lot of people have been coming in for vaccinations recently, mostly for what is known as “cocooning.” The “cocoon” strategy aims to protect newborn infants from becoming infected by administering the Tdap vaccine to women who have just had babies and family members and friends who make frequent contact with the newborn. In order to successfully avoid infection, Hasson said children should receive vaccinations at 2, 4 and 6 months, 15 to 18 months and a final shot between 4 to 6 years old. “Basically, kids should get five valid doses before the age of seven,” she said. A free “Tdap” (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine clinic is scheduled from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 22 at the Health and Human Services Building in Sutter Creek for people 17 years old or older. A parent or guardian must be present with minors under age 18. For other regularly scheduled immunization clinics, call Amador Public Health Immunization Line at 223-6697. For Spanish, call 223-6642. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
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Amador County - Amador County Public Health Department will hold another free Tdap clinic in response to a whooping cough epidemic in California which health officials are calling the worst in 50 years. So far, seven infants have died in the state. Three cases have been confirmed in Amador County. In response, Amador County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann is spreading the word about awareness and prevention. “The number of whooping cough cases reported this year is seven times greater than last year in the state,” said Hartmann recently. “All seven deaths reported in California were infants under three months old.” Hartmann said whooping cough is the leading vaccine-preventable disease. 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 a year old are hospitalized. Babies are particularly susceptible because they have no natural immunity to whooping cough. According to state reports, the number of whooping cough cases tends to peak every two to five years. “We usually see an up tick in the number of whopping cough cases every 2 to 5 years,” said Joanne Hasson, Amador County Public Health Nurse. “It’s cyclical and not unusual.” In anticipation of the outbreak, Amador County has stocked up on Tdap, the most common vaccine for the highly contagious disease. Hasson said the youngest children get a slightly different formulation. She said a lot of people have been coming in for vaccinations recently, mostly for what is known as “cocooning.” The “cocoon” strategy aims to protect newborn infants from becoming infected by administering the Tdap vaccine to women who have just had babies and family members and friends who make frequent contact with the newborn. In order to successfully avoid infection, Hasson said children should receive vaccinations at 2, 4 and 6 months, 15 to 18 months and a final shot between 4 to 6 years old. “Basically, kids should get five valid doses before the age of seven,” she said. A free “Tdap” (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine clinic is scheduled from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 22 at the Health and Human Services Building in Sutter Creek for people 17 years old or older. A parent or guardian must be present with minors under age 18. For other regularly scheduled immunization clinics, call Amador Public Health Immunization Line at 223-6697. For Spanish, call 223-6642. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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