Panhandle Health District

                                                            8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Date:     September 8, 2010                    

Contact:                                                                             Released by: Jeanne Bock, Director                     

Cynthia Taggart

Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5108

(208) 818-7288 (cell)

Health District Answers Public Call for Pertussis Vaccine

Hayden – In response to a growing demand for the pertussis vaccination, Panhandle Health District (PHD) has scheduled special pertussis immunization clinics in its Hayden building on Friday, Sept. 10, and Tuesday, Sept. 14.

              The clinics are for children from 6 weeks old to 6 years old and for people from age 11 through 64. There is no licensed pertussis vaccine for children from age 7 through age 10. Anyone concerned about whooping cough in children in that age bracket should call their doctor.

              As of Thursday, northern Idaho has 59 cases of pertussis this year, which is a significant increase from the annual average of six pertussis cases. Most recently, two infants were hospitalized with pertussis, prompting health officials to remind the public that a pertussis vaccine is available.

              “No vaccine is 100 percent effective,” said Randi Lustig, epidemiology program manager for the Panhandle Health District. “But we know this one does prevent severe and serious complications like seizures, encephalitis, pertussis pneumonia and death.”

              The vaccination takes two weeks to attain maximum effectiveness. Children 6 weeks through 6 years receive DTaP, which includes vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. Children age 11 through 18 and adults through age 64 receive a one-time booster called a Tdap.

              People can call their health care providers to find out if they’re current on their pertussis vaccinations.

              PHD’s Friday pertussis immunization clinic will run from 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling 415-5270. The Hayden PHD office is located at 8500 Atlas Rd. between Prairie Avenue and Hayden Avenue.

              PHD’s Tuesday clinic will run from 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the Hayden PHD office. Appointments are necessary. Costs for the immunizations are on a sliding scale and will range from $14 to $26 for children. Adult shots cost $64. PHD doesn’t bill insurance but will provide receipts upon request.

              Whooping cough is contagious and spreads easily, particularly in group settings such as schools and workplaces. It starts with a runny nose that turns into a nasty cough and is often mistaken for allergies or bronchitis. Doctor-prescribed antibiotics will kill the bacteria and prevent its spread, but the cough may continue for as long as 100 days.

              For an appointment for the special pertussis clinics, call 415-5270.