Content about Pertussis

AUSTIN, Texas — Legislation proposed in Texas' state legislature would expand the range of vaccines that pharmacists can administer to children.

ATLANTA — A panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women get vaccinated for whooping cough, the CDC said.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The nation’s largest retailer is expanding an in-store healthcare initiative involving 10 types of immunizations administered at its stores through Nov. 15.

Walmart said it is working with Mollen Immunization Clinics to provide 10 of the immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 2,700 stores. In addition, the company said flu and pneumonia vaccines would be available at all 3,800 stores with pharmacies.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The dramatic expansion in the number of pharmacists who can give vaccinations and the range of vaccinations they can deliver has occurred just as an epidemic of whooping cough has spread across the country.

(THE NEWS: NACDS: Pharmacists as vaccinators are key in battle against whooping cough. For the full story, click here.)

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is touting its vaccinating pharmacists as the back-to-school season begins.

The retail pharmacy chain said its pharmacists were ready to provide vaccinations against pertussis, meningitis, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus and other diseases, in addition to providing advice on oral health, nutritional supplements, cough-cold supplies and first-aid kits.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Physicians' offices already have enough on their plate that a wave of new appointments for pertussis vaccinations would overwhelm them. For that reason, it's essential that pharmacists and retail clinicians step in to ensure that kids, and especially adults, get vaccinated against the disease.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — With pertussis rising at alarming rates across the country, now is a better time than ever for pharmacists to step in and do their part to quash the epidemic.

(THE NEWS: "CDC: National pertussis rates are on the rise." For the full story, click here.)

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is offering immunizations against whooping cough in Kansas as an epidemic of the disease spreads around the state, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Walgreens said it would offer the Tdap vaccine at all of its 67 stores in Kansas and its 195 stores in Missouri in pharmacies and Take Care Clinics.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has reported 56 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, as of June 11, compared with the 52 cases reported for the entire year of 2011.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — As health departments across the country report record numbers of pertussis cases, the results of a new survey of American adults released today reveal that most parents aren't asking adults close to their infants and young children to get an adult whooping cough booster vaccine, even though they do ask them to follow other basic precautions to safeguard their children's health.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, once was among the most feared childhood diseases and was a frequent killer of young children. Today, it's mostly under control, a testament to the importance of vaccinations.

(THE NEWS: Pertussis cases increase tenfold in Washington over May 2011. For the full story, click here )

NEW YORK — Budget cuts have added an extra challenge to the response of health authorities in Washington state to an epidemic of whooping cough, according to published reports.

According to a report by the Washington State Department of Health, there were 1,284 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, reported so far for 2012, compared with 128 during the same period last year. No deaths have been reported so far.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state health officials have declared an emergency state action to slow the outbreak of whooping cough, also known as pertussis.