DEERFIELD, Ill. — Another state experiencing a spike in cases of whooping cough has led Walgreen Co. to bolster accessibility to the pertussis vaccination.
Walgreens said Tuesday that it’s now offering the Tdap vaccine (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) at all of its 129 drug stores in Washington. The immunization is available daily on a walk-in basis.
The state reports an epidemic level of whooping cough cases. According to the Washington State Department of Health, 1,132 pertussis cases have been reported statewide through April 28, compared with 117 during the same time span last year. The epidemic is on pace for as many as 3,000 cases in 2012.
Walgreens pharmacists in Washington can administer the Tdap vaccine to people over the age of 7.
"We share in the recommendations of health officials that one of the best things people can do to help keep themselves and their community healthy is to get vaccinated," Robbie Jacobs, market pharmacy director for Walgreens, said in a statement. "As some of the most trusted health care professionals in communities across our state, this is an excellent opportunity for our pharmacists to help educate residents about the importance of vaccinations and how we can all work together to help slow the spread of disease to some of the most vulnerable — our children. It is extremely important for those who care for or are in contact with children also be immunized to help prevent the spread of disease."
Late last month Walgreens
expanded access to pertussis immunizations at its 275 drug stores and Take Care Clinics in Arizona
to help address a surge in cases of whooping cough.
