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Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Prevention

PROTECT THE INFANT YOU CARE FOR BY PROTECTING YOURSELF

Quinnipiack Valley Health District is joining the national effort to prevent whooping cough (also known as pertussis) in infants. The pertussis vaccine (Tdap*) will be administered to persons age 18 and older who have never had a pertussis booster shot and who are close contacts of newborns and infants up to 12 months. This includes parents, grandparents, babysitters and other close household contacts. See scheduled clinic dates below. You can call QVHD for more information at (203) 248-4528. The vaccine is free but there is a $5.00 administration fee. (No one will be turned away for lack of funds to cover the administration fee). 

*Tdap is a combination vaccine that contains 3 components: Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

WHY WHOOPING COUGH IS SERIOUS

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a serious disease that is spreading across the United States and in Connecticut. It is very contagious that can be passed easily from person to person. It is very serious for babies and can cause them to cough so much that they can not breathe. Hundreds of babies are hospitalized each year for whooping cough and some die from it.  

Whooping cough can cause adults or teens to have severe coughing that leads to vomiting or broken ribs. They can be hospitalized for pneumonia and miss weeks of work or school. Even worse, they can spread whooping cough to the babies at home.  

WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY

GET YOUR TETANUS BOOSTER (Tdap)

Everybody in the family should be immunized against whooping cough to protect themselves and the baby at home.  

MAKE SURE YOUR CHILDREN ARE UP-TO-DATE ON THEIR IMMUNIZATIONS

Children 7 years of age and older can also get the new Tdap booster. Infants and toddlers need four shots against whooping cough and a booster before starting kindergarten. Contact your childs health care provider.

COVER YOUR COUGH AND WASH YOUR HANDS

Whooping cough is spread by coughing. Remind everyone to cover their mouths when coughing and to wash their hands often.  

PROTECT YOURSELF! PROTECT YOUR FAMILY!

GET IMMUNIZED!

For more information visit the CDC Tdap Vaccine Information Sheet.

Quinnipiack Valley Health District
1151 Hartford Turnpike
North Haven, CT 06473

Phone. (203) 248-4528
Fax. (203) 248-6671
E-Mail. info@qvhd.org