Everybody Get Immunized! You, Too, Teacher Tweets of the Day 7/30/12

All school districts check immunization records when children entered school; now, in the state of California, a booster called the TDaP (against Pertussis Whooping Cough) is required before the students can enter secondary, that is, any grade from 7 through 12.

There has been a reappearance of Whooping Cough over the last few years, and although my district did not make a big deal of it, as when they recommended and even provided the various flu shots, it is now important to get a TDaP  booster if you work in schools.

Dr. Len Horovitz, an infectious disease specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, is frustrated that despite the prevalence of media coverage, adults are not requesting the vaccine.
"How much relentless coverage and repetition of medical information [does it take] for the public to finally grasp an epidemic?" he asked. "People aren't listening, aren't watching or aren't paying attention."

It is most dangerous for newborns, but even adults need treatment. It is called the 100 day cough for a reason. So, this is a reminder not only from a medical professionals, but from me, a caring colleague who's been reading all the latest info. Plan ahead and stay well!

Here is more info for you:

1. Solid info from the CDC Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html 

2.Whooping cough outbreak spreads to very young babies (UK)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-190130163

3. Pertussis Outbreak May Be Worst in 50 Years, CDC Says (US)
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/pertussis-outbreak-worst-50-years/story?id=16814787#.UBdZBaNKwuE 

4.  Whooping cough making a comeback as most adults fail to get recommended booster shot
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57435050/whooping-cough-making-a-comeback-as-most-adults-fail-to-get-recommended-booster-shot/ 

"Last year, the CDC began recommending that pregnant women be vaccinated against whooping cough for two reasons: To protect mothers like Heidi Bruch; and because protective antibodies pass to a child before birth, which helps newborns too young to be vaccinated themselves."

5.  Pertussis (Whooping Cough) News and Research (Worldwide, including Australia)
http://www.news-medical.net/?tag=/Pertussis+%28Whooping+Cough%29