No Health Insurance? You May Qualify For Free Whooping Cough Vaccine

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is offering a printable coupon for uninsured or underinsured adults who care for newborns or infants to get a free whooping cough vaccine.

Those who qualify should visit one of the mobile clinics listed on the coupon. The Children's Monthly Immunization calendar provides locations for both children's vaccinations and the adult Tdap booster, which prevents whooping cough.

Those with health insurance should contact their doctor or call one of the county's adult vaccination sites.

The Health Department recommends that everyone be vaccinated against whooping cough. It is especially important for anyone who has close contact with babies younger than 12 months to get a dose of Tdap to help protect the baby; this includes parents, siblings, grandparents, health-care providers, and child-care providers.

“Many adults don’t realize they need to be vaccinated, or they assume they have been,” said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes in a news release. “We’re asking everyone to verify with their health care provider that they’re up-to-date on vaccines.

"We’re also asking everyone to use good health manners like cover your cough and stay home when you’re sick that will also help prevent spreading whooping cough.”

Click for more information about Washington state's whooping cough epidemic.