In light of the recent increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Northern Nevada, local health officials are urging the community to get vaccinated against the illness.
The childhood vaccine is called DTaP, and the pertussis booster vaccine for preteens, teens, and adults is called Tdap. Children should get 5 doses of the DTaP vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages: 2, 4 and 6 months; 15-18 months and 4-6 years.
There is a catch-up immunization schedule available for those aged 4 months through 18 years who start late or who are more than one month behind.
Tdap vaccines are available for anyone over the age of 11, including pregnant women. A catch-up schedule as well as vaccine schedules for all ages is available on the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/.
Families can check their immunization records by visiting https://izrecord.nv.gov/public or by contacting their immunization provider. Vaccinations are available at the following locations:
Carson City Health & Human Services, 900 E. Long St., where walk-in immunizations are available 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. Thursdays. Call 775-887-2195 for information.
Dayton Community Health Clinic, 5 Pine Cone Road, Suite 103, Dayton, open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Call 775-246-6211.
Douglas County Community Health, 1329 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville, walk-in immunizations are offered 1-4 p.m. Mondays. Call 775-782-9038.
Fernley Community Health Clinic, 555 E. Main St., Fernley, open 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Call 775-575-3363.
Yerington Community Health Clinic, 26 Nevin Way, Yerington, open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. Call 775-463-6539.
For information about pertussis, go to http://gethealthycarsoncity.org/pertussis-whooping-cough/ or https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/.