News Release
July 12, 2010
Free H1N1 and whooping cough vaccines available July 22 in Concord
Contra Costa Health Services will hold a free vaccination clinic on July 22 from 4 to 9 p.m. during Concord's Thursday Music and Market program in Todos Santos Plaza.
Vaccinations will be available for H1N1 and for whooping cough.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, has emerged as a new threat to the community. Contra Costa Health Services has confirmed 53 cases of this respiratory illness in the county as of July 9; five infants have died of the disease this year in California. Babies often get whooping cough from adults, family members or those who care for them.
"Whooping cough is very contagious and can be especially serious for young children," said Dr. Wendel Brunner, Director of Public Health for Contra Costa Health Services. "Our best protection against whooping cough is to have as many people immunized as possible. Everybody in the family - grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, and caregivers - should be immunized against whooping cough to protect themselves and babies at home."
The Tdap vaccine, which protects against whooping cough, also includes a tetanus and diphtheria booster. Two nurses and one additional staff person will be at the Music and Market event. One staff member is bi-lingual in Spanish to assist with translation if needed.
The Thursday Music and Market series features a farmers' market from 4 to 8 p.m. with music beginning at 6:30 p.m. The musical guest on July 22 will be FreeSound, a blues, reggae and psychedelic rock band.
Todos Santos Plaza is located in downtown Concord on Willow Pass Road between Mt. Diablo and Grant streets. Free parking is available in two municipal garages. The Grant Street Garage entrance is on Salvio Street between Grant and Colfax streets. The Todos Santos Parking Center entrance is on Salvio Street between Galindo and Mt. Diablo streets.
For more information, call the Contra Costa Immunization Assistance Program, (925) 313-6767 or visit cchealth.org.