4 cases of whooping cough in Coventry

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- The Rhode Island Department of Health has confirmed four cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, in Coventry. They're recommending vaccinations for everyone, children as well adults, who may not have gotten the vaccine.

Three of the students go to the Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School; the fourth attends Tiogue Elementary School.

The Department of Health is holding a community vaccination clinic tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coventry High School at 40 Reservoir Road in Coventry. The clinic will offer Tdap immunizations which will ward off pertussis, as well as influenza and pneumonia vaccinations.

You can also see your primary care physician to be immunized.

It's especially important, the CDC says, for these individuals to be vaccinated:

• Coventry students ages 10 and older who need to receive Tdap (This will meet the Grade 7 vaccination requirement)
• Pregnant women and anyone in their household (Pregnant women should be at least 20 weeks into the gestation period)
• Anyone in close contact with or caring for an infant less than one year old
• Anyone with a weakened immune system or other chronic disease (such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, etc.) and anyone in their household
• Professionals, including school staff, daycare workers, and healthcare workers
• All adults, including those ages 65 and older

If you have health insurance, bring your information; if you do not, you will be vaccinated at no cost.

Pertussis symptoms start out similar to a cold, which becomes much worse over one or two weeks -- and a lingering cough, as well as trouble breathing, or even gagging or vomiting after coughing spells.