HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES HOTLINE FOR HEALTH QUESTIONS RELATED TO FLOODING

Sat April 20, 2013

DUPAGE COUNTY-Persons who have been impacted by the recent flooding may want to consider a Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccination. The good news is that there is an ample supply of this vaccine in the community. This vaccine is available at physician offices, pharmacies and convenient care facilities.

  The DuPage County Health Department has established a hotline for residents with health questions related to the flooding. Residents may call (630) 682-7400 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday, April 22 to Thursday, April 25.   In addition, the following is information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine Usage in flooding response operations:  

  • According to the CDC, outbreaks of infectious disease after a flood in the United States are unusual and mass immunizing programs are not routinely recommended. Exposure to flood water alone is not a reason to give tetanus-containing vaccine or any other vaccine.
  • Persons with severe wounds should be evaluated immediately by a healthcare provider. Those who sustain puncture wounds or wounds that may be contaminated with soil or fecal material should receive tetanus-containing vaccine if more than 5 years have elapsed since their last tetanus booster.
  • Persons who have not completed a primary tetanus series (a minimum of 3 doses of tetanus and diphtheria containing vaccine) must be vaccinated and given tetanus immune globulin (TIG) as soon as possible.
  • Persons who sustain clean, minor wounds should receive tetanus-containing vaccine if they have not completed a primary series or, if more than 10 years have elapsed since their last tetanus booster.
  • To ensure protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, Tdap should be administered to all other adolescents and adults who have not previously received Tdap or for whom vaccine status is unknown.

  Persons with questions about vaccine should contact their physicians.   For more information on the DuPage County Health Department, follow us on Twitter @DuPageHD or become a fan on Facebook.