Eastbayri.com

BARRINGTON — The Rhode Island Department of Health will host a whooping cough vaccination clinic for Barrington residents on Friday, Jan. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Barrington High School cafeteria.

Earlier this week officials at the Department of Health stated that eight students in Barrington — the outbreak had been confirmed at Hampden Meadows School and the middle school — had contracted pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough. The disease is highly contagious and caused by a bacterial infection of the lungs.

“Due to the outbreak and based on a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the health department encourages anyone age 10 or older who has not previously received a Tdap vaccine and lives in Barrington get vaccinated,” stated a press release issued by the health department on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Barrington Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert McIntyre said that his office has been in constant contact with the Rhode Island Department of Health regarding the whooping cough outbreak.

“They’re trying to be proactive,” said the superintendent of the health department. “They’ve been talking to pediatricians. We’ve been in constant contact with these people. I’m not going to turn away help.”

According to health experts, the vaccine is especially important for:

• Anyone who has close contact with or cares for an infant younger than one year of age.

• Any woman who is at least 20 weeks pregnant. (These women should contact their obstetricians to get vaccinated.)

• Anyone with a weakened immune system (including chronic respiratory problem, neuromuscular disease, or immunodeficiency disorder).

• Anyone who works at a school or childcare facility.

• Anyone who provides direct patient care.

“Vaccination is the best prevention against pertussis,” said Director of Health Michael Fine, MD. “This clinic is part of HEALTH’s ongoing effort to prevent the further spread of pertussis in the Barrington community. Anyone who does not live in Barrington and needs to be vaccinated should contact his or her healthcare provider.”

Anyone with health insurance should bring his or her health insurance card to the clinic. Any Barrington resident who is uninsured will be vaccinated at no cost to the individual.

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease. People with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of pertussis should stay out of work, school, or childcare until they have been on antibiotics for at least five days.

The health department receives reports of about 60 cases of pertussis each year.