Whooping cough cases are on the rise in West Nipissing, so vaccines are on the way.
So explained the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, who is hosting two public pertussis (whopping cough) vaccination clinics. The first takes place Wednesday, June 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the main entrance of the West Nipissing General Hospital at 725 Coursol Rd, Sturgeon Falls.
The second clinic takes place on Thursday, June 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. This one takes place at River Valley Golden Age Centre, at 16 Jacques St, River Valley.
These clinics are open to the public so you can stop by without an appointment. However, if you already have whooping cough, do not attend the clinic. Instead, the Health Unit would like you to see your primary health care provider.
The pertussis vaccine is given at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age, between 4 and 6 years of age, and between 14 and 16 as well. One dose is given in adulthood. Women in their third trimester of pregnancy are also urged to receive a dose.
Because of the rise of whooping cough in the area, people are asked to monitor for symptoms, the Health Unit requested in a recent release. Early symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, low fever, and mild cough that gets worse over two weeks, often ending in a whooping sound.
It’s not your average cough, the Health Unit warned.
“The cough may be so severe that a person may gag or throw up and it can last for weeks to months.” Further, the Health unit added, “Anyone can get pertussis, but it can be very dangerous for children under one year of age, and individuals in their third trimester of pregnancy, especially if they have not been vaccinated.”
If you’d like more information on whooping cough, the Health Unit has all the details on its website, www.myhealthunit.ca. The Health Unit also urges you to ensure you are up to date with your vaccines by asking your doctor or reaching out to the Health Unit at 705-474-1400 ext. 1301.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
