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The number of Pertussis, or whooping cough, cases in Iowa is up significantly this year, but luckily the disease has not made its way to Marion County, yet. Judi Van Hulzen with Marion County Public Health tells KNIA/KRLS news there has been no pertussis activity in the county since last fall, but with the increase of cases in Iowa it will eventually be heading our way at some point in time. Van Hulzen says the majority of the cases that have been reported this year are in school-age children. The good news however, is that pertussis can be prevented with a 90% effective immunization. Thanks to funds available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Marion County Public Health will be offering school based tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis clinics for kids age 11-18 who are not up to date on their vaccination. The clinics will take place at Melcher-Dallas schools on December 2nd, Knoxville schools December 7th, Pleasantville schools December 15th and Pella Christian and Community schools on December 13th. The vaccination wil be offered to all students free of charge, regardless of insurance status. Parents will need to return a consent form to the school nurse prior to December for their child to receive the vaccination.

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