McHenry County Department of Health has scheduled an adult vaccination clinic at its Crystal Lake location (100 N Virginia Street) on Friday July 23 (noon-4pm) for residents aged 19 to 64 years to receive the Tdap vaccine. Tdap is a combination vaccine of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) which is specially formulated to provide protection among adolescents and adults. Appointments are required at 815-334-4500; the cost is $50 (cash or check only). Medicaid is accepted. Adults are recommended to receive a Td booster every 10 years and a one-time Tdap booster should be substituted.
“Although Tdap is a combination vaccine, it is the pertussis protection that is crucial for adolescents and adults,” states Wanda Martinez, MCDH Clinic Supervisor. “Protection of parents, caregivers and other household members provides a circle of protection to infants during a time when they are most vulnerable of contracting the disease.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several states are reporting increased cases of pertussis among teens and babies as compared to the same time last year. Multiple factors have likely contributed to the increase including waning immunity from childhood pertussis vaccines (5-10 years), increased recognition, better diagnostic testing and increased reporting.
Pertussis is highly contagious and is usually spread by coughing or sneezing. It usually starts with cold-like symptoms and a mild cough; it is often not suspected or diagnosed until a persistent cough with spasms sets in after 1-2 weeks. Getting vaccinated with Tdap is especially important for family members/caregivers of newborns and infants less than one year of age. Pertussis is most severe for babies. Many infants who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents or other caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.
For more information on the pertussis vaccine, visit www.mcdh.info, Personal Health Services.
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