Ocean County Health Department to Offer Tdap Vaccine Clinics

The Ocean County Health Department has slated Tdap vaccination clinics at two locations throughout April.

An elevated number of cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has been seen in Ocean County. The Tdap vaccine is a combination of three vaccines that protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

Although children are vaccinated against whooping cough, immunity to this disease fades and as a consequence, whooping cough is still common in teenagers and adults. Every year, as many as 1 million teenager and adults in the United States are infected with whooping cough.

By offering the Tdap vaccine to those over the age of 10 years, it will allow adolescents and adults to be protected against the disease, thereby reducing the chance that babies will be infected with the whooping cough bacterium. 

Clinic hours and locations are as follows: Wednesday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to noon and Monday, April 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at OCHD Toms River site; Tuesday, April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursday, April 26 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Stafford OCHD Southern Clinic Site.

The department's main site is located at 175 Sunset Ave., Toms River. Its Southern site can be found at 333 Haywood Rd., Manahawkin, in the Stafford Business Park off of exit 63 on the Garden State Parkway South.

There are additional hours available to receive the Tdap vaccination at the Lakewood WIC Office at 1771 Madison Ave. Call 732-341-9700, ext. 7515 or visit the Ocean County Health Department website at www.ochd.org for Lakewood Clinic hours.

The following recommendations from the Advisory Committee are for adults regarding the Tdap vaccine: All adults, including those over the age of 65, should receive a Td (tetanus/diphtheria) booster every 10 years. Adults under the age of 65, who have never received a Tdap, should receive this for their next booster dose. All adults, including those over the age of 65, who have or who anticipate having close contact with an infant less than 12 months of age and who have not received the Tdap booster vaccine should receive a single dose of Tdap to protect against pertussis and reduce the likelihood of transmission.

Adults over the age of 65 may also receive one dose of Tdap instead of Td if they have not previously received this vaccine. Any adult who wants to be protected from pertussis should receive this booster. New mothers who have never received a Tdap vaccine should get a dose as soon as possible after delivery. Even if you have received your tetanus shot within the past 10 years, you may receive the Tdap vaccine.  

The cost of the vaccination is $20. Those with Medicaid must bring a Medicaid card; WIC recipients are asked to bring their WIC folder.