Vaccinations urged against whooping cough

MOSES LAKE - Washington residents are being urged to get re-immunized against whooping cough (pertussis) following a dramatic increase in cases in 2012.

As of June 5, 2,092 cases had been reported statewide in 2012, compared with 164 cases in 2011, according to the Washington Department of Health website. Theresa Fuller, of the Grant County Health District, said there are 13 confirmed cases in Grant County. The Washington Department of Health website said there was one confirmed case in Adams County.

Babies 1 year of age and younger and pregnant women, especially in the third trimester, are at greatest risk from whooping cough, the DOH website said. The disease can make newborns very ill or even be fatal, especially babies 2 months of age and younger, said Karen Potts of the Adams County Health District. People with compromised immune systems or compromised respiratory systems also are at increased risk, Potts said.

"It's not a disease to be taken lightly," said Mary Small of the Chelan-Douglas Health District. "You can cough so hard you crack your ribs."

In the early 1900s every parent was terrified of whooping cough, especially when their children were newborns. But over the course of the 20th Century doctors found effective vaccines and treatment options. "I don't know that it was ever completely gone," Potts said. But by the end of the 20th Century it was far less fearsome.

"There are a number of factors as to why it's back the way it's back," Small said. Weak whooping cough viruses kept circulating through the population and re-immunized people, Small said, but over time those viruses were eradicated. The vaccine was changed and might be less effective than the original, she said.

In addition, some parents opted out of required vaccinations for their children, Potts said. "That always contributes to any disease."

Even if parents get their children immunized on schedule, "we're finding all that immunity fades," Potts said. The immunity provided by the vaccines usually fades by the time a person is in their early 20s, she said.

In light of that, public health officials are asking adults to get a booster immunization; the most common includes tetanus and diphtheria, and is called a T-DaP.

Immunizations are particularly important for adults who are going to be around babies, including parents, grandparents and family members, caregivers, health care employees. "It's really helpful to get a T-DaP. Extremely helpful," Small said.

The Grant County Health District has a program to provide the vaccine to people who have close contact with young children but don't have health insurance to pay for the shot, Fuller said. People should contact their health provider first, because some local doctors and clinics are participating in the program, she said. If it's not available elsewhere, people who qualify can contact the health district.

The Adams County Health District is offering free vaccinations to qualifying Adams County residents, Potts said. People must be 19 to 64 years of age, whose insurance policy won't pay for the shot and must meet income guidelines, she said.

Sometimes an adult case of whooping cough can be so mild the adult doesn't even realize they have it, Potts said. But a mild case can still be passed on, and in the case of a newborn it could turn into something serious, Potts said.

In the case of whooping cough, stoicism can be counterproductive. "Today people don't stay home when they're sick," Small said. But even if people think it's nothing serious they should take precautions. "Anyone who's ill, stay home. We found with flu that's a really big help," she said.

The end of school may help slow down the spread of the disease, Small said. Public health officials would hope to see fewer cases about three weeks after school is dismissed for the summer, she said.