Panhandle Health District offers vaccine clinics

Panhandle Health District has scheduled special immunization clinics for pertussis, or whooping cough, due to a growing demand.

The clinics will be in the district’s Hayden building on Friday and Tuesday, a news release said.

The clinics are for ages 6 weeks to 6 years and ages 11 through 64. There is no licensed pertussis vaccine for children ages 7 to 10. For more information about that age bracket, people should talk to their doctors.

North Idaho has seen 59 cases of pertussis this year, up from an annual average of six. Two infants recently were hospitalized with pertussis, prompting health officials to remind the public that a vaccine is available.

“No vaccine is 100 percent effective,” said Randi Lustig, epidemiology program manager for the health district. “But we know this one does prevent severe and serious complications like seizures, encephalitis, pertussis pneumonia and death.”

The vaccination takes two weeks to attain maximum effectiveness. People should call their health care providers to find out if they’re current on their pertussis vaccinations.

The Friday clinic will run from 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling (208) 415-5270. The Hayden office is located at 8500 Atlas Road between Prairie and Hayden avenues. The Tuesday clinic will run from 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Costs for the immunizations are on a sliding scale and will range from $14 to $26 for children. Adult shots cost $64. The health district doesn’t bill insurance but will provide receipts upon request.