Polk County takes precautions against whooping cough as epidemic continues in Washington state [Statewide]

While about 1,280 cases of whooping cough have been reported in Washington this year to date, Oregon remains virtually unscathed with a reported 169 cases as of Monday, May 14. Nonetheless, Oregon public health officials statewide are urging people to protect themselves against the disease. The symptoms of whooping cough, which is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, are somewhat different in infants, older children and adults.

Who should get vaccinated?

The Oregon Public Health Division of the Oregon Health Authority makes the following recommendations:

• DTaP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular-Petussis vaccine) for all children at ages two, four, six, and 15 to 18 months, with a pre-school booster given between age four and entry into kindergarten. The DTaP vaccine helps children younger than age seven develop an immunity against disease.

• Tdap for all other populations including:

• Children ages seven to 10 who have not received a complete DTaP series
• Adolescents 11 to 18
• Pregnant women at > 20 weeks gestation
• All non-pregnant adults

A Tdap vaccine is a new requirement in Oregon as of the 2011-2012 school year for all students, in the 7th, 8th, 9th or 10th grade, whether they are attending public or private schools. The vaccine is especially recommended for new parents or grandparents-to-be, child care providers, and anyone with infants in the family, since whooping cough can be deadly in infants.

At this time, the Polk County Public Health Department is strongly encouraging immunization of all adults and children and early testing for coughs lasting more than a week.

Where to go for immunizations in Polk County

The Polk County Public Health Department will be offering walk-in appointments for both the DTaP and Tdap immunizations. Call 503-623-8175 for more information.

211info will be updating whooping cough immunization recommendations from other counties in Oregon as they become available. Check the 211info website regularly for updates or call 2-1-1 to speak with one of our specialists if you have specific questions about where to go for whooping cough vaccinations or disease updates.