Valley mom Maria Mora's back to school list this year includes not only supplies, but vaccinations against whooping cough. "You never know," said Mora. "I would rather them be safe."
Riverside County Public Health officials are urging middle-school students to get a whooping cough booster shot before classes start. The recommendation targets students age 10 to 12, who should have received the vaccination when they were younger.
"Their concern is your resistance to whooping cough based on those immunizations wears off after about age 11," said Jane Mills, the Director of Child Welfare at Palm Springs Unified School District. Mills says the District has printed up fliers and information for parents about the importance of vaccination.
While the shot isn't required, health officials say it's an important tool to prevent the spread of whooping cough, which is now an epidemic in California with nearly 1,500 cases and seven deaths reported statewide. Riverside County has reported 53 cases, as of July 27th.
Doctors say the best way to protect young children and infants, the groups most vunerable, is to vaccinate everyone around them. Early symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, low or no fever, mild cough. Symptoms after one to two weeks include vomiting, red or blue face, a "whoop" sound, trouble breathing, extreme tiredness and sweating spells.
Symptoms in infants are different, and may include gasping or gagging, seizures, or stopping breathing.
Whooping cough vaccines are being proved by Riverside County Health Clinics including the Palm Springs Family Care Center (1515 North Sunrise Way) and Indio Family Care Center (47-923 Oasis Street). For appointments, call 1-800-720-9553. Also provided at Centro Medico Cathedral City (69125 Ramon Road, Suite A) For appointments call 760-321-6776. Also check with your family care physician. For more information go to http://www.rivcoph.org/pertussis
