Back-to-School: It’s Time to Immunize the Adults

“Whooping cases on the rise!”  This headline (or something similar) led over a hundred news stories in the first week of August.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 17,000 cases of pertussis (AKA whooping cough) as of the middle of July 2012.  That is twice as many as last year!

What is pertussis?  It is a contagious bacterial disease.  The disease makes it hard to breath and is characterized by a whooping sound while coughing.  (You can hear what it sounds like in a child and in an adult.)   It is most common in babies and can lead to serious side effects (including convulsions, interrupted breathing, brain problems) and even death. 

Among the cases this year there, have nine deaths, most among infants.  While this may not sound like a lot, these are nine preventable deaths.  Why preventable?  Because, this is a disease that can be prevented with a a vaccine.

Children should get 5 doses of a vaccine called DTaP;  one dose at each of the following ages: 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months and 4-6 years and most children get these.  But until they have gotten them all  they are NOT fully protected.  That is why older children and adults, including those who were immunized as children, need a booster to protect the children they come into contact with. CDC recommends:

• One dose of  the vaccine Tdap for those 11-18 years (11-12 is the preferred time)
• Those 19-64 years, receive one dose as soon as feasible if they have not yet received a dose (this dose will replace one dose of Td)
• Those 65 and older now can also receive a Tdap dose if have they not yet received a dose (this is particulalry important for grandparents and others who are around children).

A well-immunized community creates a “cocoon” around those children too young to be fully immunized, protecting them from this deadly disease. 

Its easier than ever to create the cocoon vaccines are covered as part of preventive services under the Affordable Care Act. Here are some things you can do to help create the cocoon.

1.    Talk to your colleagues, family, and friends.  Encourage them to get vaccinated.
2.    Find out if Tdap is being offered as part of back to school health fairs or other events.
3.    Work with your school nurses and local health department to offer Tdap at an association meeting.
4.    Work with your administration to get information out about vaccine opportunities in the community. 
5.    Learn more in our new publication, Advocacy for Vaccines.