Oneida County Health Department Announces Special Immunization Clinic

The Oneida County Health Department will hold a special immunization clinic intended to give children entering the sixth grade a booster to avoid pertussis, or "whooping cough" as it is more commonly known.

Most children has been given a series of vaccines to prevent whooping cough by age six, but it is believed that immunity can diminish over time, so law requires all children entering the sixth grade get a Tdap booster.

The clinic will be held at the Oneida County Health Department's Clinic at 406 Elizabeth Street on Thursday September 26th from 4 to 6 p.m.

Pertussis, or "whooping cough" is a highly contagious bacterial disease spread from person to person through droplets from sneezes and coughs. It can cause severe coughing spells punctuated by a loud "whoop" sound and result in shortness of breath, disturbed sleep, vomiting, weight loss and even rib fractures. It can also lead to further complications such as pneumonia and even death.

Anyone wishing to attend Thursday's clinic must register in advance by visiting the Oneida County Health Department Website or by calling (315) 798-5748.