Whooping Cough: Vaccinations available at cost
Regional Public Health has notified me of two students who have been diagnosed as having Whooping Cough. It is also known as the ‘100 day cough’ because of the long course of illness.
Whooping Cough is a bacterial infection which usually starts with a runny nose and irritating cough lasting for 1 – 2 weeks. This then develops into fits of coughing, which may end in vomiting, or with a ‘whooping’ sound. It is a serious infection in children under the age of 1.
Adults can get Whooping Cough but may not have the severe symptoms, instead getting a persistent cough that is worse at night.
Most adults in New Zealand have been vaccinated for Whooping Cough but the effectiveness lessens over time.
We are encouraging anyone who is working with or living with babies and young children, as well as pregnant woman in their third trimester and those who have immuno-suppressed diseases, to have a booster vaccination. Please also check your children, grandchildren, etc, are up to date with their vaccinations.
If you would like to consider having a booster vaccine, please contact me. We can offer cost-price-only vaccination in the Health Centre and we expect this fee to be approximately $28.
For more information on Whooping Cough, go to:
Glasses found
A pair of glasses has been handed in to the Health Centre at the Wineera Drive campus. They were found in the drive of Entry 4 on Friday 18 May. If these belong to you, please come by and collect them.
from Tracy Mitchell, Campus Nurse