JEWEL-OSCO, a leading Midwest food and drug retailer, announced today that it is now offering the whooping cough vaccine booster at its 173 pharmacies, including its three Oak Park and River Forest locations, in response to recent whooping cough outbreaks throughout the country.

Whooping cough is a contagious and potentially deadly disease that causes violent coughing fits, making it difficult to breathe.  The illness spreads easily when someone with it coughs or sneezes. While many people are immunized as children, the effects of the whooping cough vaccine wear off within 5-10 years of vaccination.

“We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of cases of whooping cough throughout the country,” said Tom Rousonelos, vice president of operations for JEWEL-OSCO Pharmacies.  “It is strongly recommended from many state Department of Health agencies that all teenagers and  adults who have not had the whooping cough vaccine get immunized, to prevent the spread of this very contagious disease.”

It is recommended that all individuals aged 11 and older receive the vaccination, called Tdap, which specially-trained and certified JEWEL-OSCO pharmacists are available to administer.  Due to state law, certain age restrictions and prescription requirements may apply to receive the vaccine.  Customers can check with their neighborhood JEWEL-OSCO pharmacist for details.  The retailer’s pharmacies are open seven days a week for customer convenience and no appointment is necessary for immunizations.

Find your nearest JEWEL-OSCO pharmacy at www.jewelosopharmacies.com