We recommend that parents of newborns and infants receive two immunizations,  TdaP and Influenza .

TdaP  is short for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough).  Adults should receive this vaccine every 10 years mainly for tetanus and diphtheria protection.  The whooping cough component is to protect infants.  Whooping cough is a common disease in adults and is hard to tell apart from other viruses that cause bronchitis.  Adults spread the disease to young children who are not fully immunized until they reach 6-7 months of age.  We have seen three cases in 2009, three in 2010, and one so far in 2011.  Two were hospitalized.

The influenza vaccines (two this year) are also important because infants have the highest chance of being hospitalized when they get the flu.  Many adults are healthy and prefer not to get immunized every year but we ask that you get immunized those seasons that you have an infant in your home.

Influenza vaccine is available throughout the community in the fall and winter.  Most adult doctors have TdaP.  If they don't, it is also available at some drug stores and at Costco if you bring a prescription from your doctor.