Tdap and influenza

As a service to Saint Philip’s parishioners, the Health Cabinet would like to remind everyone about booster shots for Tdap (tetanus/diptheria/pertussis) and influenza.

Pertussis is the bacteria that causes whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Vaccines are available to help prevent Tdap and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get one dose of Tdap or Td every 10 years. Adults who have never received Tdap should get it in place of a Td dose.

The flu shot should be done on a yearly basis.  

Now, more than ever during the pandemic, we should be cognizant of other communicable illnesses such as influenza and whooping cough.

In recent weeks, there have been cases of pertussis/whooping cough seen in the adult population. This is a potentially dangerous illness for youngsters in the community and can be spread for many weeks after being contracted. In adults, this illness can linger and be very debilitating. Influenza is also highly contagious and very common.

As mask protocols become more relaxed in some settings, there is the prospect that the flu will be more pernicious than during the height of the pandemic.

Please take time to review if you have had a Tdap booster within the past 10 years. If you haven’t, please consider getting one. An influenza vaccination prevents serious illness and hospitalization—important not only to the sufferer but also to the health care resources that are affected and scarce at times.

If you have questions regarding these guidelines please contact Carol Jones, Saint Philip’s parish nurse. Her email address is parishnurse@stphilipstucson.org.