Free TDaP Shots Offered to Children & Adults

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER will offer free TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccinations to adults and children 11 years of age and older, during special community vaccination clinics in July. The clinics will be held as follows:

Wednesday, July 10th,AC Brase Arena Building, Arena Park, Cape Girardeau , 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Monday, July 15th, Jackson American Legion Hall, Jackson, 9:00 a.m. -- 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 17th, Delta Community Center, Delta, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Friday, July 26th, Osage Community Center, Cape Girardeau, 1:00 -- 6:00 p.m.

"This is a special program, due to a one-time allotment of free vaccine provided to us by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services with a strict timeline," says Director, Jane Wernsman. "We know July is a challenging time of year for anyone to be thinking about vaccinations, with family vacations and other activities going on, but we hope all will take advantage of getting vaccinated."

The TDaP vaccine offers protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). These can be very serious illnesses, even for teens and adults.

* Tetanus causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness all over the body, sometimes so severe a person can't even open their mouth, swallow or breathe. Tetanus kills about one out of every five people who are infected.

* Diphtheria can cause a thick coating to form in the back of the throat that leads to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death.

* Pertussis is commonly known as whooping cough. It causes severe coughing spells that can lead to problems breathing, vomiting and difficulty sleeping. It can also lead to weight loss, incontinence, rib fractures, hospitalization, pneumonia, and even death.

One dose of TDaP is routinely given to adolescents at age 11 or 12 and is required for all students entering 8th Grade. People who did not get TDaP at that age should get it as soon as possible. To minimize an infant's risk of being exposed to disease and serious illness, it is very important for anyone who has close contact with an infant under one year old to be vaccinated, including parents, siblings, grandparents, child care workers, relatives, and other caregivers.

TDaP vaccinations will be offered at no charge during these Community clinics, regardless of insurance status. For more information, contact the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center at 573-335-7846.

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