This year there have been 18,000 cases of pertussis reported to the Centers
for Disease Control. The disease is also known as whooping cough, which is on the rise in many states, including Connecticut.
Pertussis is particularly severe for infants, who are not fully protected against this terrible cough until they are one year old. You can protect the infant you care about by protecting yourself against pertussis.
Quinnipiack Valley Health District (QVHD) is now offering the pertussis vaccine (in the form of Tdap-tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) to parents, grandparents, babysitters and other caregivers or contacts of newborns and infants 12 months and younger.
If you are over age 18 and have never had a Tdap vaccine, (a combined booster immunization containing tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis protection) you are eligible to receive this vaccine. A $5.00 administration fee is requested. No one will be turned away for lack of ability to pay this fee. Immunization clinics are held every 4-6 weeks.
Call QVHD at 203 248-4528 or visit us online, www.qvhd.org for clinic dates and times.
