Oct. 04--The fact that the state of South Carolina has seen few or no cases of some vaccine-preventable diseases -- like diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella -- since the 1990s is not a sign that vaccinations for these diseases are no longer necessary, state epidemiologist Jerry Gibson said, but rather that the diseases have become less common only because of up-to-date vaccinations.
"It is because we have a very high level of immunization coverage," said Gibson, adding that within the state, most children are immunized by age two, and all are immunized by school-age, as per school and daycare regulations.
Getting the initial slew of vaccinations in childhood is not enough because many vaccinations become less effective with time and need to be administered again, and others are needed on an annual basis. Two particularly relevant examples of such vaccine-preventable diseases this year, Gibson said, are pertussis -- more commonly referred to as whooping cough -- and the flu.
Whooping cough, a disease caused by bacteria that spread through direct contact with droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze, is particularly common in babies and young children. About two-thirds of children under the age of 1 who get whooping cough require hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"This is the biggest year for (whooping cough) since about 2005. That is the way it comes, in cycles every three, four or five years," said Gibson. "Until we get a longer lasting vaccine, we're going to see these cycles, but if we can protect teens and new moms and so on, we'll be protecting the babies who do very badly with it."
Nicknamed for the violent coughing fits that end in a "whoop" noise, whooping cough is characterized at first by symptoms similar to the common cold -- runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and cough. After one or two weeks, the violent coughing and choking can begin, making it difficult to breathe, drink or eat.
The disease can be prevented by the DTaP vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria, another respiratory disease affecting the lungs, and tetanus, a disease caused by bacteria in soil entering the body, often through a puncture wound.
The DTaP vaccination involves six doses through age 18 -- at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 to 15 months, 4 to 6 years and 11 to 12 years.
While whooping cough is particularly dangerous in childhood, adults who have not had at least three tetanus and diphtheria shots in their lifetime should get them now, according to the CDC.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control obtained 2009 data that showed 71 percent of children in the state are fully up-to-date on immunizations by age 2.
"The idea is to start immunizing very young for babies to protect them, but we also want to get immunized all the moms and teens who are in families who might have a new baby so that we can protect the baby directly by getting him (or her) immunized but also the people around the baby," said Gibson.
While there is no risk associated with women receiving the DTaP vaccination while pregnant, those wary of doing so can receive the shot immediately following the baby's birth.
This year's flu vaccination is recommended for all by the CDC to protect against a mutated strain of last year's H1N1 virus, which hospitalized young people at a rate of two or three times more than people over 63. Many people over the age of 63 were immunized by having a similar strain that was circulating around 1957.
More than half of people in the state have some immunity to last year's H1N1 virus, Gibson said, either from having the similar strain the 1950s or by having H1N1 or being immunized last year.
"You still want to get your flu shot because there are several types of flu viruses that circulate," said Gibson. "Nobody really knows what is going to happen in the coming flu season. Usually we don't get the big peak of flu until January or February."
The local health department offers immunizations for all children through age 18 throughout the year free of charge. Adult vaccinations are also available, at the cost of administering the vaccination.
The Aiken County Health Department will be offering flu shots to the public Oct. 11, Oct. 20 and Nov. 8 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The shots will be offered at the Aiken County Council Building, 736 Richland Ave. W., on a walk-in basis.
The North August Health Department will also offer flu shots on Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The health department is located at 802 E. Martintown Road Suite 170.
Recommended adult vaccinations offered during the flu clinics are the pneumococcal vaccine for pneumonia and the Td and TDaP vaccines for tetanus.
The cost will be $25 for any and all vaccines given for adults on the day of the clinic; however, those who cannot pay for services will not be denied.
Anyone intending to use Medicare should bring the card and number when arriving for vaccinations.
Regular physicians can also administer vaccinations, and many area pharmacies offer flu shot.
-----
To see more of the Aiken Standard or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.aikenstandard.com/.
Copyright (c) 2010, Aiken Standard, S.C.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail services@mctinfoservices.com, or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544).