Barrington to hold vaccination clinic

BARRINGTON, R.I. (WPRI) - State health officials are holding a whooping cough vaccination clinic for Barrington residents, following a recent outbreak.

Eight cases of the disease, also known as pertussis, have been confirmed in students at Barrington Middle School and Hampden Meadows Elementary.

• CDC Fact Sheet: Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Symptoms of whooping cough include cough lasting more than two weeks and worsens to include whooping, short periods without breathing, or gagging or vomiting after coughing spells. Anyone who believes they may have whooping cough should be tested by his or her health care provider.

People with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of pertussis should stay out of work, school, or child care until they have been on antibiotics for at least five days.

The health department recommends any children not up-to-date on their vaccines should be vaccinated against Whooping Cough.

A vaccination clinic will be held Thursday, January 12 and Friday, January 13, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Barrington High School cafeteria.

The Health Department receives reports of about 60 cases of pertussis each year.