Due to an increase in the number of confirmed and suspected cases of whooping cough, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has issued a family advisory to all elementary and secondary schools in Centre Wellington Township. Schools in other communities are being monitored.
The advisory said although children may be fully immunized they can have reduced immunity as the vaccine’s protection fades over time. Even if children are not due to for a regular booster, Public Health would like to boost their protection by offering immunization clinics.
The disease can be severe in children under one year and 75 per cent of sick children who are less than one year old contract whooping cough from a sibling or parent.
Immunization clinics will be held in Fergus on June 1 and June 8 from 9am to 4pm for students 12 years or older on May 31 at 474 Wellington Road 18, Suite 100 in Fergus.
Children can also get the vaccine shot from a doctor or by calling Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health at 1-800-265-7293 extension 4715.
Whooping cough symptoms begin with a runny nose and cough that cough becomes more frequent and severe.
In some cases a child can give a loud whooping sound when inhaling a breath.
