Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

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July 23, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

“Whooping Cough Rates Soar in Three Oregon Counties”

Associated Press (www.ap.org) (07/22/03)

Oregon Health Services Immunization Program nurse Hilary Gillette reports that whooping cough rates in Oregon’s Lane, Jackson, and Klamath counties are roughly 11 times higher than the state and national average, with 66 confirmed cases in Jackson County so far this year, 16 in Klamath County, and 102 in Lane County.  The statewide average is about 70 cases of whooping cough a year.  Lane County has begun a program to immunize children as young as six weeks, and the other two counties are considering the same.  The plan would be to vaccinate babies against whooping cough at six weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks, and give them booster shots at 12 months and four years; currently, children are vaccinated at two months, four months, and six months, with boosters at 15 months and prior to school.