Chaffee County Public Health Provides Pertussis Update (October 29, 2024)
Chaffee County, CO- Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) is reporting an increase in pertussis cases within the county. Chaffee County has had four confirmed cases of pertussis in the last month, though it is possible that there are more cases of pertussis that have not been reported to CCPH because those cases have not been formally tested for the disease. When CCPH receives a report of a pertussis case, they work closely with the family to identify high risk family members and contacts who may be recommended to receive antibiotic prophylaxis. If the individual with pertussis attends a school, CCPH will also work closely with the school to determine who may have been a close contact and what mitigation efforts might be necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.
Pertussis, otherwise known as whooping cough, is a very contagious respiratory illness. Pertussis starts like a cold, with a runny nose, low grade fever and a mild cough. After about a week, intense coughing fits may begin, which can last for minutes at a time. The coughing can be so severe that it causes vomiting. A distinctive symptom of a pertussis cough is a high-pitched “whoop” sound that occurs when inhaling after a coughing fit.
Treatment with antibiotics can make the illness less serious, and there is a vaccine to help protect against pertussis. There are two vaccines that protect against pertussis. DTaP is recommended in infancy and a booster dose before kindergarten. Tdap is recommended at age 11 and every ten years throughout the life course, including during each pregnancy. While vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can get pertussis. CCPH regularly administers the pertussis vaccine. To make an appointment, contact CCPH’s main office at 719-539-4510 during normal business hours.
Over the past few years, reports of pertussis cases were lower than usual, most likely due to the precautions that were taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as masking and social distancing. Colorado is now beginning to return to pre-pandemic pertussis trends, which is also true across the United States. In Colorado, the number of reported cases on October 12th was five times as many as reported at the same time in 2023, and the number of cases this year is higher than what was reported in 2019 before the pandemic. CCPH urges the public to contact their healthcare provider if they suspect they have pertussis due to a significant and persistent cough, or respiratory symptoms after an exposure to a known pertussis case. As a reminder, CCPH recommends following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines CCPH Vision: All people in Chaffee County have opportunities to achieve health and connected lives in a community that embraces every aspect of health and well-being on what to do when someone is sick with a respiratory illness, keeping in mind that there is antibiotic treatment and testing available for those who might be sick with pertussis. “CCPH anticipates an active winter regarding pertussis and will likely be navigating various pertussis outbreaks in the upcoming months. While the term “outbreak” might be triggering for some, especially after coming off the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that the public understands that the definition of “outbreak” is: two or more cases involving two or more households clustered in time (such as occurring within 42 days of each other) and either epidemiologically-linked or sharing common space (such as in one building) where transmission is suspected to have occurred (such as a school). One case in an outbreak must be lab confirmed (PCR or culture positive). CCPH will work closely with the appropriate parties to respond to new cases and outbreaks,” says Andrea Carlstrom, CCPH Director.
Chaffee County Public Health Receives Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) has been preparing for another active respiratory illness season, and is excited to announce that the new COVID-19 vaccine is now in stock. CCPH is proud to provide the community with access to this most recent update of the COVID-19 vaccine, and has been eagerly awaiting its arrival.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) to include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been updated with this formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.
What you need to know about the updated COVID-19 vaccines:
· Unvaccinated individuals 6 months through 4 years of age are eligible to receive three doses of the updated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine or two doses of the updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
· Previously vaccinated individuals 6 months through 4 years of age are eligible to receive one or two doses of the updated Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. Timing and number of doses to administer depends on the previous COVID-19 vaccine received.
· Individuals 5-11 years of age regardless of previous vaccination are eligible to receive a single dose of the updated Modera or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. If previously vaccinated, the dose is administered at least two months after the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
· Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible to receive a single dose of the updated approved Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. If previously vaccinated, the dose is administered at least two months after the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
· Additional Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 doses are authorized for any immunocompromised individuals, at least 2 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine.
CCPH has also pushed out messaging through social media and traditional media outlets to inform the county that it has now received the vaccine, and is able to start vaccinating the public with the new formula vaccine.
Weekly Clinics
- Mondays- Walk-In Clinic- 12-4pm, Touber Building Salida (no appointment needed)
- Tuesdays- Walk-In Clinic- 12-4pm, 112 Linderman Ave, Buena Vista (appointment required for vaccines other than COVID-19 and flu)
- Tuesdays- Regular Clinic- 11am-1pm, Touber Building, Salida (by appointment)
- Thursdays- Regular Clinic- 2-5pm, Touber Building, Salida (by appointment)
- Fridays- Regular Clinic- 9am-12pm, Touber Building, Salida (by appointment)
To make an appointment at CCPH, call 719-539-4510 during business hours. CCPH also offers the RSV vaccine by appointment.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines are also available through pharmacies and other healthcare providers throughout the county.
Other ways to protect yourself and others this respiratory illness season:
· Practice Good Hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid touching your face.
· Social Responsibility: Stay home if you’re sick and minimize close contact with others to prevent the spread of illness. Isolation is no longer required in most COVID-19 cases.
However, staying at home and away from others until you are fever free without fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours and experiencing improved symptoms is recommended for COVID-19 and most viruses at a minimum. Health care employees may be required to stay home for longer periods of time than the general public.
· Monitor Symptoms: Seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms such as persistent high fever (above 102°F), chest pain, confusion, or difficulty breathing. Contact your healthcare provider if you have concerns about your symptoms, especially if you have underlying health conditions or if symptoms do not improve.
· Stay Informed: Keep up with CCPH for the latest guidance on respiratory illnesses. CCPH will be updating its social media platforms and local media outlets with advertisements, press releases and public service announcements, and other outreach strategies throughout the next few months.
“Chaffee County Public Health is excited to offer this important vaccine to the public, and encourage all who are eligible to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. We have provided several avenues for obtaining the vaccine, and hope that the vaccination of our community results in fewer cases of severe illness, fewer hospitalizations, and ultimately contributes to as healthy a respiratory season as is possible” says Chaffee County Public Health Director Andrea Carlstrom.
