Because of the pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak, the Henderson County Department of Public Health will offer a Tdap Vaccination Clinic on Thursday, December 21 and Thursday, December 28, starting at 11:30 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m.
The clinic will focus on offering the Tdap vaccine to the following people:
*Â Â Children age 11 and older
*Â Â Pregnant women in third trimester
*Â Â Adults who have not already received this vaccine dose
The Department of Public Health is located at 1200 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 100. Please use the Immunization Clinic Entrance located at the center of the building.
Uninsured individuals may be eligible for a vaccine at no cost if they meet criteria. The health department accepts most major insurance plans (Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, Medcost, Medicaid, and Health Choice). The cost for the vaccine, if not covered by insurance, is $60.00. They accept cash, checks and credit cards.
Tdap is a combination vaccine that protects against pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and diphtheria and is routinely given at age 11 or 12. According to the Health Department, the best way to protect against pertussis (whooping cough) is the vaccine, but the protection of the vaccine decreases over time. That’s why the Health Department recommends that adults get one Tdap vaccine in their lifetime and certain high-risk groups get additional vaccines. Be aware that it takes two weeks for the vaccine to provide maximum protection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Adults who have not received Tdap vaccine or for whom pertussis vaccination status is unknown should receive one dose Tdap/Pertussis vaccine in his/her lifetime, followed by a Td (Tetanus/ Diphtheria booster) every 10 years. Pregnant women should receive one dose of Tdap during each pregnancy, preferably during the early part of gestational weeks 27-36, regardless of prior history of receiving Tdap.”
