Another Whooping Cough Clinic Tomorrow

As 3WC reported yesterday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has reported the first infant death due to pertussis or whooping cough. The 2-month-old child was from Forsyth County.  Whooping cough continues to spread throughout the state and country, so state health officials strongly urge parents to take immediate steps to protect their children and other loved ones.  With that in mind, the Wilkes County Health Department this month has been offering FREE TDAP (Whooping cough) CLINICS at area high schools including the last one tomorrow at Wilkes Central.  Debbie Nicholson of the Wilkes Health Dept says pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease spread from person to person, and can be fatal.  Nicholson said that the Health Department is seeking anyone 16 years and older who have not had a Tdap vaccine to come to a clinic.  The Tdap clinics are free.  Thursday the clinic will be at Wilkes Central High  -  Old Gym.  Tdap clinics will also be conducted for the PUBLIC from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the school location.  If you have questions about Whooping Cough or the TDap vaccine you may call the Wilkes Health Dept at 651-7450.  The TDap vaccine is also available at the health department.