Community Corner

Local Pharmacies Offer Discounted Whooping Cough Vaccines

People without insurance can obtain low-cost vaccines at three Issaquah stores through the AmeriCares patient assistance program.

As whooping cough cases continue to emerge in King County, several local pharmacies are now offering discounted vaccines to those without health insurance or who are otherwise unable to afford the vaccine, known as Tdap.

According to a news release from King County, a Tdap booster can cost $60-$100. Local pharmacies can charge a fee up to $15.60 to give the vaccine, but people without health insurance can ask for the cost to be waived.

As of May 10, a total of 237 cases have been reported for King County in 2012 compared to 98 cases for all of 2011. Statewide, about 1,280 cases have been reported compared to 110 cases in the same period last year. Washington State Department of Health officials believe the state could see as many as 3,000 cases by year's end.

Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The King County Health Department is advising all children, teens and adults to make sure their whooping cough vaccination schedule is up to date. The disease can be very serious for young babies, who often get whooping cough from adults and other family members.

According to King County's list, there are several Issaquah and Sammamish stores currently offering discounted Tdap vaccines. Here is a list of all pharmacies in Issaquah with low-cost vaccine (see attached PDF for all the pharmacies in King County):

Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • QFC 1540 Gilman Blvd Issaquah (age 11 and older)
  • QFC 4570 Klahanie DR SE Issaquah (age 11 and older)
  • Bartell Drugs 5700 East Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE Issaquah (age 14 and older)

Though the vaccine is available in Sammamish at Rite Aid and Safeway, it is not offered at low cost at those locations.

 



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