Swedish/Edmonds Battles Whooping Cough Epidemic With Free Vaccines

To battle the whooping cough epidemic in Snohomish County, hosted a free vaccine clinic June 14 to prevent pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is harbored and spread by adults and children and is particularly harmful to infants, who have no immunity.

People of all ages need booster shots to maintain their immunity and most adults aren’t up to date on their shots according to the hospital.

In partnership with the Verdant Health Commission, Snohomish County Health District and Washington State Department of Health, Swedish/Edmonds provided shots to local uninsured and low-income adults.

“When we heard how the infection rate in Snohomish County was still climbing after an epidemic had been declared, the Verdant Health Commission wanted to help by covering costs so the vaccination could be available with no out-of-pocket expenses,” said Carl Zapora, superintendent of the Verdant Health Commission.
 
Contact your health-care provider or pharmacy to make sure you and your child are fully immunized. Children’s vaccines are free or low-cost.

Vaccines for adults may be covered by private health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or offered to low-income, uninsured adults at reduced cost at many locations listed at www.snohd.org.

In 2011, 30 cases were reported in Snohomish County. In the first five months of this year, 340 cases were reported although most cases go unreported.

The next free clinic is June 26 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Valley General Hospital, 14701 179th Ave. SE, Monroe.