TAMC taking steps
in wake of rising whooping cough cases
PRESQUE ISLE — A spike in whooping cough cases in the region and throughout Maine has prompted officials at The Aroostook Medical Center to take proactive measures to protect its youngest patients.
Beginning this month, TAMC employees in clinical areas with a high volume of interaction with young children, who have not already received vaccination for pertussis (whooping cough), will be offered the vaccination at no charge. Letters went out recently to 310 employees in the Emergency Department and laboratory at A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital, Women and Children’s Health, all OB/GYN providers, Aroostook Pediatrics, the North Street Walk-in Clinic, TAMC-operated health centers in Ashland, Fort Fairfield, Mars Hill and Caribou; and TAMC’s Crown Ambulance Service. The vaccination offer will be expanded to staff in other areas that provide direct patient care, including the medical/surgical and critical care units, in the coming weeks.
“Maine, along with many other states, has been experiencing an increase in the number of cases of pertussis or whooping cough over the past year. TAMC takes this increased health risk very seriously,” said Jennifer Tweedie, RN, infection prevention nurse. “In an effort to keep our patients, our staff members, and their families as healthy as possible, TAMC’s Infection Prevention Committee has decided to initiate a campaign to provide boosters to our staff.”
Specifically, TAMC is offering its professionals who work directly with children the Tdap or tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine. The vaccine is given in place of one tetanus booster. According to Tweedie, adults under 65 who have never gotten a Tdap booster (which is most of the population) should get one in place of their next tetanus booster.
“Adults who have close contact with children should get the vaccine to protect the child from acquiring it. Babies less than 12 months of age become seriously ill if they come down with pertussis (whooping cough),” said Tweedie.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 80 cases of whooping cough so far this year. The jump in numbers in recent years was first reported in northern Maine followed by outbreaks at schools in central and southern Maine.
Although only four cases of whooping cough have been reported in Maine this year in children under 6 months of age, newborns are the most vulnerable to the disease. Babies are vaccinated against pertussis with a series of shots starting at two months. Those who are too young for the shot or haven’t built up enough immunity can catch the disease — most often from a loved one who was never vaccinated or not up-to-date with booster shots.
Although more than 60 percent of infant pertussis is gotten from a family member, TAMC is taking the necessary measures to ensure that providers who come in contact with pediatric patients do their part to protect their youngest and most vulnerable patients.
“Pertussis is highly contagious, but is preventable through the utilization of vaccination. Serious illness, that may be life-threatening in young children, will most times result in hospitalization,” said Tweedie. “Every vaccination that we provide brings better protection against pertussis to Aroostook County.”
The cost of one vaccine is approximately $30, however, Tweedie noted that TAMC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of patients. Only one Tdap booster is required in adulthood and can take the place of a tetanus booster.
