Community Corner

Everyone Needs Whooping Cough Vaccine, Health Dept. Says

The disease, which spread through local schools last year, can be deadly to infants.

The Chester County Health Department recommends that everyone receive a vaccination against pertussis, aka whooping cough, especially those who interact with infants.

Pertussis vaccinations (DTaP and Tdap) are available at walk-in clinics held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Government Services Center in Westtown. The cost is $35, although free vaccinations are available to those who meet certain eligibility requirements.

The health department's recent quarterly newsletter noted that there were 134 cases of pertussis in 2012, by far the most of any vaccine-preventable illness. The newsletter gave an overview of the importance of immunization:

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Whooping cough (Pertussis) is a respiratory infection that can cause a baby to have severe coughing or trouble breathing. About half of infants who get whooping cough are hospitalized. 

Four out of five babies who get whooping cough catch it from someone at home. While most adults have been vaccinated when they were babies, the protection of the vaccine decreases over time.

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Everyone needs whooping cough vaccine:

  • expectant mothers 
  • parents 
  • brothers & sisters 
  • child care providers 
  • grandparents

During the 2011-2012 school year, pertussis was confirmed at  GV Middle School, General Wayne Elementary and K.D. Markley Elementary.


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