Health officials push for immunizations

MOSES LAKE - With 10 confirmed cases of whooping cough in Grant County this summer, five of which were reported within the last week alone, health officials are urging parents to get their children vaccinated before the start of the upcoming school year.

According to Grant County Health District figures, there have been a total of 29 pertussis cases in the county this year. And that number could increase with the start of the school year looming.

Theresa Fuller, the health agency's public information officer, said that whopping cough is a communicable disease and can get passed to the next person with ease.

"The potential when the kids start mixing again is there, and it quickly spreads," she said. She added that she hopes parents will get their kids vaccinated against whooping cough before school starts.

According to the health agency, Washington state is currently experiencing a whooping cough epidemic. About 3,300 confirmed cases of pertussis have been reported statewide this year, the most cases since the early 1940s.

Fuller said there are three vaccines available for adults and three immunizations for children available against whooping cough. Vaccines that are recommended or required to enroll in school are often available at low to no cost for families.

Through the Washington State Childhood Vaccine program, no-cost vaccines are available for children up to age 19. To find a provider or an immunization clinic, parents can call the Grant County Health District at 509-766-7960.

In Adams County, four confirmed cases of whooping cough have been reported in 2012. Health officials there are also urging parents to get their kids vaccinated prior to the beginning of the new school year.

Karen Potts, of the Adams County Health Department, said the agency has been working with schools and childcare centers to make sure teachers and care providers are protected against whooping cough. The department is also trying to educate parents on the epidemic in order to prevent the number of cases in their county from rising.

The county recently received a grant to provide qualifying adults from 19 to 64 with a free vaccine against whooping cough. Under the Give Immunity Fight Transmission, or GIFT, program adults who meet certain guidelines can get the vaccine for free, and without any office visit or administration fees, Potts said.