Public Health Department Press Release re: Flu and Pertussis Vaccines

Flu and Pertussis Vaccines Recommended

Fall is the start of flu season.  It is also a time when other respiratory illnesses are

present.  The Calaveras County Public Health Department has vaccine available to the

community that   prevents two respiratory diseases, seasonal flu and whooping cough

[pertussis]. 

“It is easy to forget that seasonal flu can cause serious illness and possibly death for

some infants, youth and adults,” stated Dr. Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer.  This

includes:

·         Adults 50 years of age and over

·         Pregnant women

·         Children and youth 5-18 years on long term aspirin therapy

·         Everyone with chronic health conditions [including diabetes, kidney, heart or lung disease

Flu vaccine can limit the spread of flu and if you do get the flu it is likely to be milder

than if you were not protected.  Protecting yourself also protects the at-risk members of

the community at the same time. 

“This is the only immunization that we must get every year because the protection

lessens by the time the next flu season begins,” stated Dr. Kelaita.  The vaccine

changes to match the flu viruses that are expected to be present each year.  “Even if

you had a flu vaccine last year you need one again this year,” added Dr. Kelaita.

The Public Health Department wants everyone over 6 months of age to get flu vaccine.

It is available at the regular Public Health immunization clinics for children and adults. 

Public Health Community Immunization & Flu Vaccine Clinics

WEEKLY
Every Monday	San Andreas	Public Health 700 Mountain Ranch Road Suite C-2	3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Every Thursday	San Andreas	Public Health 700 Mountain Ranch Road Suite C-2	8:00 am – 12:00 pm
MONTHLY
Third Tuesday	Valley Springs	United Methodist Church 135 Laurel	3:00 pm – 5:30 pm

The flu vaccine is $16 each.  No one is denied service based on inability to pay.

Whooping cough [pertussis] is another respiratory virus that is present at this time of the

year.  It can be prevented by getting pertussis vaccine. Children usually receive the

vaccine before starting school.  Preteens, youth and adults need to get a booster shot

vaccine [Tdap].  The booster shot is needed because protection weakens by the time

children are preteens. 

Whooping cough starts like a cold with a cough.  The cough worsens and lasts over two

weeks.  Coughing can be so severe that it is difficult to catch your breath.  The cough

can be so severe that it causes a person to vomit. 

“The group that is likely to experience serious illness and possibly death from whooping

cough, is infants less than 6 months of age,” stated Dr. Kelaita.  Infants cannot receive

the vaccine until after 6 months.  Last year California experienced epidemic levels of

whooping cough that resulted in nine infant deaths.  Youth are now required to have

proof of the booster shot upon entering 7^th grade to limit the spread of this vaccine

preventable disease.  Tdap is available for children, youth and adults at the Public

Health community clinics.  It is very important for adults who have close contact with

infants to get the vaccine.  This creates a cocoon of protection for the baby. 

The Tdap booster shot is now available for youth and adults at the regular immunization

clinics.  Vaccine is $16 but no one is denied service due to inability to pay.

For more information about the flu, Tdap vaccines or the clinics, call the Public Health

Department at 754.6460 or visit our website at www.calaveraspublichealth.com.