Immunizations still relevant

  • A message from the Holmes County Health District
  • February 17, 2014
  • 416
                        
There has been an outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) in Holmes County in the last few weeks. Many families who have not previously immunized their children or are behind on immunizations have been visiting their doctor or health department to receive pertussis vaccine, usually in the form of DTap or Tdap. These doses are important in protecting family members, but it is important to remember that one shot will not offer full protection. Families need to follow up with the additional shots needed to completely protect against whooping cough. The number of shots needed will depend upon the age of the person as well as how many shots he or she has received in the past. The number of doses needed and the timing and spacing of these doses are determined by top experts in the field of infectious disease and are reviewed each year to best protect U.S. children against vaccine-preventable diseases. Each vaccine dose is scheduled for the age range that is considered best for producing the best protective immune response as well as providing protection to infants and children at the earliest possible age. Doses of some vaccines must be spaced a certain amount of time apart to create a protective response. Protection against whooping cough requires three doses four weeks apart, followed by a booster in six months. The schedule may differ slightly depending upon the child’s age, combination vaccines used and the previous immunization history. This local outbreak is a reminder that these vaccine-preventable diseases are still a risk to our children and families. Immunization works!


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