2007 National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

Topics on this page Campaign to increase vaccination againt pertussis Health Service Regions (HSRs) / Local Health Departments (LHDs) Activities Forms & Documents Resources/Links

In observance of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Immunization Branch, is conducting a statewide campaign focusing on immunization against pertussis through the lifetime, emphasizing the need for everyone to be vaccinated against pertussis.  Infants and young children need to be brought up to date with all doses of the DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) vaccines.  Older children, teenagers, adults, parents, grandparents and seniors up to age 64 need to be vaccinated with the newly available Tdap vaccine. 

Campaign to increase vaccination against pertussis

Pertussis is a dangerous, life threatening disease, especially in babies. The coughing spells may be so bad babies have difficulty eating, drinking, or breathing.  Pertussis can cause failure to breathe (apnea), pneumonia and swelling of the brain (encephalopathy) which can lead to seizures and brain damage. 

	In young children, coughing fits are often followed by a “whooping” sound as they try to catch their breath.  Click on the picture to hear the “whooping” sound.

Pertussis Media Campaign

Letter to Public School Nurses  (1 page, 56 Kb)

Letter to School Administrators (1 page, 48 Kb)

Flyer for Parents English (1 page, 82 Kb) and Spanish (1 page, 70 Kb)

Pertussis Fact Sheet (2 pages, 790 Kb)

*Note: items in red are currently unavailable

Health Service Regions (HSRs) / Local Health Departments (LHDs) Activities

HSR  2/3: Local Health Departments and McDonalds are collaborating in the Dallas, Denton, Tarrant and Collin Counties to provide an immunization message on tray liners.

HSR 9/10, El Paso: Immunization outreach clinics will span across all parts of El Paso County. ProAction Community Health, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health and safety in El Paso County, is expanding their clinic hours to help accommodate the larger than normal crowds expected during this time of year. ProAction is also working with area school districts to conduct a month-long sweep of area schools.

Forms and Literature

To access a list and a literature order form for pertussis, and other vaccine immunization  
materials, such as posters and brochures, call 1-800-252-9152, extension # 6516.

Resources/Links:

General

• Texas Department of State Health Services, Infectious Disease Control Unit
  Pertussis Statistics
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Pertussis Vaccine Information Statement
• Immunization Action Coalition
  Pertussis Vaccine Information for the public and health professionals
• Texas Department of State Health Services, Immunization  Branch
  Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs)

Adolescents/Young Adults

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:  MMWR 3/24/2006
  Preventing Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Among Adolescents: Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccines
  Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Adults

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Pertussis in Adolescents and Adults
  Strategies to Improve Prevention and Control Among All Age Groups
• Texas Department of State Health Services, Immunization Branch
  Adult and Adolescent Immunization information

Providers

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Pertussis - Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR 2/23/2006
  Summary of recommendations for tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) and tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) use among adolescents aged 11--18 years*
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Pertussis - Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases

Top of Page

Last Updated August 14, 2007