Adult whooping cough vaccination clinic set for Friday

Thunder Bay District Health Unit Media Update

January 19, 2016 - In response to an influx of requests to the Health Unit for the whooping cough immunization, the Health Unit is offering a special drop-in clinic on Friday, January 22 for adults over 18 years of age. The clinic will be providing the Tdap vaccination - a publicly funded vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis. No appointment is necessary for this walk-in clinic.

Because whooping cough has more serious effects on infants, this clinic is targeted to adults who are in close contact with newborns and infants less than 6 months of age or adults who are in close contact with pregnant women in their third trimester.

In Ontario, adults (18 years of age and older) are eligible to receive a single dose of Tdap. The Tdap vaccination replaces one of the Td (tetanus diphtheria) boosters which are given every 10 years.

At the walk-in clinic, adults who have not yet received a dose of Tdap in adulthood can be immunized. Those who are unsure of their immunization status should check with their health care provider. Nurses at the Health Unit are also available to answer questions. Those who are not able to make this walk-in clinic are encouraged to contact their health care provider or to make an appointment for the Health Unit’s weekly immunization clinic.

The clinic details are as follows:

Date: Friday, January 22, 2016
Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: 999 Balmoral Street (corner of Williams Street)
Other:  bring yellow immunization card and wear short-sleeves
Questions: 625-5900 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630

This is an adult clinic but children who may have missed the Tdap booster may attend the TBDHU’s regular school-aged children clinic by making an appointment.

These children will have received a notice from the Health Unit or will in the near future if they are overdue for immunizations.

Please call 625-5900 to make an appointment for your child or contact your healthcare provider about receiving the vaccination. Those who live in a community outside of Thunder Bay and the surrounding rural municipalities should speak with their local healthcare provider about catching up.