Santa Rosa county students receive TDaP vaccine

Students in Santa Rosa County high schools have been rolling up their sleeves to receive the Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis (TDaP) booster as part of the health department’s effort to halt the spread of whooping cough in the county’s school system.  Several confirmed cases of the disease were reported during the 2008-2009 school year.  The rate of infection declined when schools closed for summer break.  After students returned to the classroom, the health department again began receiving reports of confirmed cases.

“Children usually receive their last pertussis shot at the age of four or five before they enter kindergarten,” said Sandra L. Park, A.R.N.P., Interim Administrator for the Santa Rosa County Health Department.  “For some of them, the protection the vaccine provides begins to wear off by the time they enter high school.  The result is that we start seeing cases of the disease.”

Pertussis is characterized by prolonged, severe coughing.  It is referred to commonly as “whooping cough” because of the distinct whooping sound made when the person inhales trying to catch their breath.  Although it is easily passed from person to person, it is treatable with antibiotics.

The health department typically receives reports of one or two cases of pertussis each year.  The last outbreak in Santa Rosa County occurred in 2004 when 16 confirmed cases were reported.  So far this year 56 cases have been reported.      

The first cases were reported among high school students in September.  The health department obtained additional vaccine and began sending packets containing vaccine information sheets and permission slips home to parents.  Health department nurses have already administered the shots to students at Milton High, Pace High, Central School and Gulf Breeze High.  They will visit Navarre High School on Wednesday and plan to administer the vaccine to students at Jay High School sometime next week.

For more information on pertussis, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.