People without health insurance or who can’t afford to pay for whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine are now able to get it for low-cost at two local pharmacy chains, made available with help from the AmeriCares patient assistance program. Whooping cough continues at high levels in King County and vaccine is the best protection against the disease.

Local QFC and Bartell Drugs pharmacies are now offering low-cost adult whooping cough booster shots (known as Tdap vaccine). A full listing of pharmacy locations with low cost vaccines, as well as locations with vaccine at full cost for those with insurance, is available at www.kingcounty.gov/health/pertussis.

In addition, low-cost whooping cough vaccines for children and adults are also available from many community health care centers and clinics. People seeking low-cost whooping cough booster shots should check with their healthcare providers.

Health care providers and pharmacies may charge a fee up to $15.60 to give the vaccine. In comparison, the normal cost of the Tdap booster shot without insurance is from $60-$100. People who cannot afford the administration fee can ask to have the fee waived.

Vaccine protects against whooping cough, and prevents the disease from spreading to infants, pregnant women, and others. People of all ages can get whooping cough, but infants are at greatest risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Pregnant women with whooping cough near the time of delivery may spread it to their newborns.

Talk to your health care provider to make sure all children, teens and adults in your household are up-to-date with whooping cough vaccine, especially if they are in contact with infants or pregnant women.

For more information about whooping cough (pertussis) and where to get vaccine, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/pertussis