Aug. 04--KANNAPOLIS -- Cabarrus Health Alliance is reminding parents about the proper immunizations needed before the school year begins. According to Betty Braxton, human resources director for CHA, there have been several cases of pertussis, also known as whopping cough, in Cabarrus County this summer.
"The Cabarrus Health Alliance investigated five lab-confirmed cases of pertussis in Cabarrus County over the last six weeks," Public Health Director William F. Pilkington said. "The cases have involved children ranging in age from six weeks to 14 years of age with no connection. Close contacts to the cases were also investigated. This is why immunizations are so important. It's the best way to protect against disease."
"We have seen more pertussis cases this year than we have in the past few years," Robin Lodge, spokesperson with CHA communicable diseases, said. "But because we are a county with high immunization rates we don't see as many cases as other counties or other states. North Carolina is very active in having children immunized."
Pertussis is one the vaccinations children receive in a series of shots given to babies in the first couple years of life. DTaP, which covers diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus are given in three doses usually at age two, four and six months and then a fourth dose anywhere from 12 months to 18 months of age.
A final dose is administered between four and six years old, a schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease that spread from person to person orally. It takes seven to 10 days from the time a person is exposed until symptoms appear.
These symptoms include severe coughing and runny nose. The coughing becomes so serious and persistent that it interferes with eating, drinking and breathing. A crowing sound or high-pitched whoop is a characteristic of pertussis. Coughing can last up to five minutes and trigger vomiting.
Complications of pertussis can include pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, according to CHA.
CHA recommends, as the best prevention for this disease, immunization of children on time.
"We want parents to know that by law, their children must be up-to-date on their required immunizations prior to school entry. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to help individuals protect themselves and their families from disease," Pilkington said.
CHA has a limited amount of state supplied vaccine for students in grades kindergarten through eighth available at no charge.
"We highly recommend parents have their children immunized. Not only does it protect their child, but it protects those the children come in contact with," Lodge said.
Children are supposed to be up to date on their immunizations by the 30th day of school year or they are not permitted to return to school, according to Lodge.
There are two exemptions to this rule.
The first is a medical medical exemption which is granted if a physicians finds the vaccines would be harmful to the child health. The physician statements must be maintained in the student's permanent record.
The second is if the parent has a bona fide religious objection to immunization requirements and must place a signed statement on file in the student's permanent record.
Immunizations are offered at the Kannapolis location, 1307 South Cannon Blvd., Mondays and
Thursdays 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment call 704-920-1205. Parents are asked to bring the child's immunization records, Medicaid or insurance cards.
For more information on school immunization requirements in North Carolina visit the Web site www.immunizenc.com/SchoolReqs.htm#requirements or www.cabarrushealth.org.
Contact reporter Robin L. Gardner: 704-789-9140.
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