Whooping Cough Alert!

Pertussis Campaign

BuckMD has been talking about Whooping Cough (pertussis) over the past few months. Outbreaks across the country, especially widespread in Callifornia, had prompted us to encourage Buckeye students to make sure they are vaccinated against this disease.

Now, the public health agencies of Columbus and Franklin County are reporting that there have been over 600 cases in our county in 2010 so far, and 200+ have been reported in August and September. With nearly 100 more so far in October, we are on our way to a record-breaking year, right along with the state and the country as a whole.

Pertussis is especially dangerous for infants, who do not have vaccine immunity yet, but it can also make adults very sick. Best to avoid it if you can, with a Tdap booster. Tdap is Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular Pertussis, and is a new vaccine for adults since 2005. If you have not had a Tdap in the past five years, you should get one.

People who are around young children, daycare centers, or health facilities are strongly urged to get the vaccine.

Student Health Services offers the vaccine by appointment (614-292-4321). For more information, visit the Immunizations Page on our website.

Good Health!

Roger Miller, MD, OSU Student Health Services