Whooping Cough Vaccinations Protecting People in the Basin
By: Marianne Elisak
Updated: December 5, 2012
MIDLAND-- With the recent outbreak of whooping cough, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria, it's making people in Midland get their vaccinations.
Julio Castillo is the Pharmacy Manager for Graham Pharmacy in Midland and says that he has seen an increase in people coming in to get protected.
"We do anywhere from 10 to 20 a month" says Castillo.
Castillo says that anyone coming into contact with a newborn should be getting their shots 2 weeks before contact since that's the amount of time it takes for the vaccination to start working.
Castillo says it's particularly dangerous for newborns to be protected against the pertussis virus since they are born without an immune system.
"They have no protection whatsoever it can be fatal to an infant" says Castillo.
Pertussis vaccinations are given at pharmacies around the Permian Basin and cost $65.
Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
Some insurance companies cover the cost of the vaccination.
Julio Castillo is the Pharmacy Manager for Graham Pharmacy in Midland and says that he has seen an increase in people coming in to get protected.
"We do anywhere from 10 to 20 a month" says Castillo.
Castillo says that anyone coming into contact with a newborn should be getting their shots 2 weeks before contact since that's the amount of time it takes for the vaccination to start working.
Castillo says it's particularly dangerous for newborns to be protected against the pertussis virus since they are born without an immune system.
"They have no protection whatsoever it can be fatal to an infant" says Castillo.
Pertussis vaccinations are given at pharmacies around the Permian Basin and cost $65.
Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
Some insurance companies cover the cost of the vaccination.
Comments
It can be treated with antibiotics to make it not contagious, and to lessen the symptoms, however, it often fails to be diagnosed, and may be thought to be only a common cold or cough. Even if antibiotics are given to infants, the only treatment is supportive, and the disease may still be life threatening. About half of all infants are hospitalized and may be fatal for infants in 1-2 out of every hundred hospitalized. The best treatment is PREVENTION. Pregnant women need the vaccine in the last trimester. It is safe any time after 20 weeks gestation.
Cindy C.
December 5, 2012 at 4:12 pm
This is Julio Castillo and would like to make a correction, the whooping cough is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria not virus and the whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
Julio C.
December 5, 2012 at 1:37 pm
