Residents Encouraged to Get Vaccinated Against Pertussis in July

Several Opportunities to get Immunized Free of Charge Throughout the Month

June 25, 2013: Livingston County Health Center would like to encourage local residents to take advantage of numerous opportunities to get vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis in July.

Vaccine protection for pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria fades with time, so all adults 19 and older who have not previously received a Tdap vaccine need a booster shot. Experts recommend adults receive a tetanus and diphtheria booster (called Td) every 10 years and substitute a Tdap vaccine for one of the boosters. The dose of Tdap can be given earlier than the 10-year mark.

Getting vaccinated with Tdap — at least two weeks before coming into close contact with an infant — is especially important for families with and caregivers of new infants.

Another group due for a Tdap booster is children going in to 8th grade.  Parents have been notified these kids are due for a shot. Since it is a required immunization, these students will not be able to start school this fall without receiving the vaccination.

Pertussis can cause serious illness in children and adults and can even be life-threatening for infants. More than half of infants less than one year of age who get pertussis are hospitalized.

The best way to prevent pertussis (whooping cough) among infants, children, teens, and adults is to get vaccinated. Also, keep infants and other people at high risk for pertussis complications away from infected people.

The Health Center has received a supply of Tdap vaccine to immunize the general public 11 years old and over.  There is no charge for this vaccine, and several opportunities to get vaccinated are planned for July.

Those interested in receiving this important immunization can come to any of our Tuesday Walk In Office Visit days in July as well as any of our three regularly scheduled Immunization Clinics on the second, third and fourth Thursday of each month.  Our evening immunization clinic has extended hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to give even more opportunity for residents to get vaccinated

LCHC staff will also be out at the “Salute to Seniors” Resource Fair at the Grand River Multipurpose Center on Tuesday, July 9th from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; the Livingston County Fair on Wednesday, July 17th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the July 12th Mudcats game for Midwest Glove Appreciation Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Please take a little time to get this vaccination if you are due for a booster.  Don’t be the one to put a baby in the hospital because you didn’t have time to get vaccinated.

For more information about the Tdap vaccination opportunities, call the health center at 646-5506 or visit the health center’s Facebook page or livcohealthcenter.com.

All services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.