Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

For information about the new law (AB 354) requiring Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Immunization for 7th - 12th Graders click here

Child Coughing Pic

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is on the rise in California. The number of cases reported so far are seven times higher than those reported at this time last year. “We are facing what could be the worst year for pertussis that this state has seen in more than 50 years,” said California Department of Public Health Chief of the Center for Infectious Disease Dr. Gilberto Chávez, who also is the state’s epidemiologist. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. During the 20th century pertussis was one of the most common childhood diseases and a major cause of death among children in the United States. After the pertussis vaccine became available in the 1940’s the incidence of this disease decreased more than 80%.

Whooping Cough starts with a cough and a runny nose for one to two weeks. It is followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that end with a whooping sound. Children and young infants, especially, appear very ill and distressed. Vomiting and exhaustion commonly follow the episode. Click here to listen to the sounds of a child with whooping cough.

Adults usually experience a milder course of the disease, but can transmit the disease to children who are too young to be fully vaccinated and also to those who are under-immunized or unimmunized, and adolescents who are old enough for their immunity levels to have waned. Young infants have the greatest risk for developing life-threatening pertussis-associated complications.

The good news is that there are vaccines available for young children, adolescents and adults.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccine

The Butte County Public Health Department is holding special Tdap booster shot clinics in both Chico and in Oroville. Vaccine is available by appointment for a fee of $17 (while supplies last).

In Chico, clinics will be on the following dates:

~~Wednesday, July 20th~~ (Concluded)
~~Wednesday, July 27th~~ (Concluded)
~~Thursday, August 4th~~ (Concluded)
~~Monday, August 8th~~ (Concluded)
~~Wednesday, August 10th~~ (Concluded)
~~Thursday, August 11th~~ (Concluded)

All of the Chico clinics will be by appointment only. Please call 895-6565 to schedule an appointment.

In Oroville, clinics will be on the following dates:

~~Wednesday, July 20th~~ (Concluded)
~~Wednesday, July 27th~~ (Concluded)
~~Tuesday, August 16th~~ (Concluded)
~~Thursday, August 18th~~ (Concluded)
~~Tuesday, August 23rd~~ (Concluded)

All of the Oroville clinics will be by appointment only. Please call 538-7341 to schedule an appointment.

The Chico Unified School District (CUSD) is offering a Tdap clinic for CUSD students only:

~~Monday, August 29th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.~~ (Concluded)
~~Wednesday, September 7th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.~~ (Concluded)

The clinic will be “free” with no appointments necessary, first come, first serve, while supplies last. The clinic will be located at the CUSD office (1163 East 7th St.) in the large conference room.

Oroville Tdap Clinic

~~Monday, September 12th from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.~~ (Concluded)

The clinic will be “free” with no appointments necessary, first come, first serve, while supplies last. The clinic will be located at Las Plumas High School, Multi-Purpose Room in Oroville. This clinic is open to “all” students in the 7th through 12th grade.

Gridley Tdap Clinic

~~Tuesday, September 27th from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.~~ (Concluded)

The clinic will be “free” with no appointments necessary, first come, first serve, while supplies last. The clinic will be located at the Community Hall (adjacent to Gridley High School). This clinic is open to “all” students in the 7th through 12th grade.

Butte County Public Health Department Clinics

Tdap vaccine is available at both the Chico and Oroville Public Health Clinics for $17 (or at no cost with MediCal). For more information please call the clinic directly. The Chico clinic is located at 695 Oleander and the phone number is 891-2731. The Oroville clinic is located at 78 Table Mountain Blvd. and the phone number is 538-7341.

*Please bring your MediCal card for billing. If under 18 parent must be present to be vaccinated.

Other locations offering Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Vaccine