Health officer advises pertussis vaccinations

Wahkiakum County commissioners handled a variety of business ranging from discussion of vaccinations to approving a request for extra help in the county treasurer's office.

Meeting as the county board of health, commissioners approved a three-month contract with Sherri McDonald to serve as the county's interim director of the Health and Human Services Department.

Besides administrative duties, she is charged with analyzing department needs and making a recommendation on how its management structure could change.

Commissioners approved the hiring of a temporary public health nurse to fill a vacancy created by a recent resignation. The position will remain temporary while the needs assessment proceeds.

District Court Judge Bill Faubion issued the oath of office to new Treasurer Marlena Silva last Friday, and she made her first appearance before the board of commissioners on Tuesday with a request for continued funding for extra help in her department.

Commissioners authorized temporary full-time employment of a part-time clerk through April. The office has been shorthanded with the transition in department heads, and it is going through the installation of a new computer program for its record keeping.

Commissioner Lisa Marsyla cautioned Silva to work with union officials and Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow to keep the position temporary and not make the employee eligible for benefits.

In response to a question from Commissioner Blair Brady, county health officer Dr. Alan Melnick recommended that adolescents and adults make sure they have a vaccination for pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

The disease is in epidemic stages in parts of Washington, including Cowlitz County. It is particularly hard on young infants, and Melnick said people having contact with infants should make sure they have the vaccination.

He added that the effectiveness of the vaccination wanes over time, so it would be good to be revaccinated if it has been a while since one was vaccinated.

"Don't presume you've already had it," said McDonald. "The vaccination is relatively new; check with your doctor."