Fall is peak season for the highly contagious disease known as pertussis (whooping cough), which is characterized by severe coughing. So far, there have been more than 4,000 reported cases in California in 2010 — seven times the number seen in a typical year.
Vaccination is the best defense against whooping cough. Information about pertussis vaccinations in the Bay Area is available in more than 150 languages by simply dialing 211.
Your local 211 call center can answer questions, such as:
- Where is the vaccine available in my county?
- How much does it cost?
- Who is eligible to receive the vaccine?
Residents who can’t dial 211 can call 800-273-6222 to reach the 211 call center in their area. For the hearing impaired, dial 415-808-4440 (TTY) or 711.
Learn more about 211 at www.211bayarea.org.
Photo courtesy of Hygiene Matters via Creative Commons license.
