The Center for Health Education, Medicine and Dentistry (CHEMED) is offering free Tdap shots at CHEMED for all pregnant women, their family members, and anyone who will be in close contact with the newborn whether or not they are CHEMED patients on Monday, June 24th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at CHEMED, 1771 Madison Avenue. No appointment is necessary.
The Tdap vaccine protects a baby against whooping cough, a serious disease that can be deadly for babies. Tdap is estimated to save many thousands of lives each year.
The CDC recommends pregnant women get the whooping cough vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of each pregnancy, preferably during the earlier part of this time period. Additionally, the newborn’s family members and caregivers should ensure they are up to date on this vaccine to form a “cocoon” of disease protection around the baby during the first few months of life. Although the shot is so important for babies’ health, many women and their family members are not getting it for such reasons as it is too difficult to find a place that offers the shot or problems scheduling an appointment.
The Women’s Health Department of CHEMED created these events to make getting this crucial vaccine as easy and quick as possible. CHEMED will be offering an additional Tdap clinic on July 29th.
For more information about this program or the Tdap vaccine, contact CHEMED’s Women’s Health Department at 732-534-8555.