Are You Immunized?

Adult immunizations protect infants too.

Parents are on high alert when it comes to protecting their children, especially newborns. You wash your hands constantly, you sanitize the grocery cart and you serve as a human shield to block your baby from the man sneezing next to you in the grocery store checkout line. While all of the steps are helpful in keeping your child healthy, you should also be asking anyone in contact with your children: are you immunized?

Pertussis, or more commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. The term whooping cough was given to this infection because it causes both children and adults to have severe coughing spells. During these spells, some people make a whooping sound as they are trying to breathe.

In the past year, there has been a significant rise in this disease.

Nearly 18,000 cases have been reported nationwide—more than twice the number seen at this point last year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Recently, Washington State declared pertussis an epidemic.

According to Dr. Anne Schuchat, the director for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, what is happening in Washington is a reflection of the larger national picture.

“We’re seeing a substantial increase in pertussis cases in the United States and in individual states like Washington,” Dr. Schuchat said. “So, there is a lot of pertussis out there, and I think there may be more coming to a place near you.”

Although all infected show signs of pertussis, babies are most vulnerable. The disease can cause hospitalization or even death.

“It is critical to protect infants and others at high risk,” Dr. Schuchat said. “I want to stress that unvaccinated children are at eight times higher risk of getting pertussis compared to children fully vaccinated.”

There is a series of three injections of vaccines at 2, 4 and 6 months of age followed by another injection between 12 and 18 months of age. A booster injection is then given at 4 to 6 years of age. For maximum protection, children must receive all five doses of the vaccine.

For those who have not yet been fully vaccinated, one way to protect them is through a strategy known as cocooning.

Cocooning is a term that describes the process of immunizing all those in contact with newborns with pertussis-containing vaccine (either DTaP for children less than 7 years old or Tdap for those over age 7) to form a protective ring of immunity from this disease for infants. Contacts can include mothers, fathers, grandparents, siblings, nannies and babysitters. Healthcare providers are also part of the cocoon, as they may have regular contact with a newborn.

“Be proactive with treatment, especially with pregnant women, infants, and others who are around infants,” Dr. Schuchat advised.

Adult immunizations are available at the following locations:

James O. Goodwin Health Center
5051 S. 129th E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Friday

Central Regional Health Center
315 S. Utica, Tulsa, OK
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Friday

North Regional Health Center
5424 N. Madison Avenue, Tulsa, OK
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mondays
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Thursdays
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Fridays

Collinsville Health Center
1201 W. Center
Collinsville, OK 74021-3111
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mondays
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays

Sand Springs Health Center
306 E. Broadway
Sand Springs, OK 74063-7911
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mondays
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays

Bixby Community Health Center
8120 E. 126th Street
Bixby, OK 74008
8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays

Click here to learn more about pertussis, and listen to hear how whooping cough sounds.