In the first six months of 2010, there was a 418% increase from the 258 cases of pertussis reported in California during the same period in 2009. But don't blame immigration from Mexico, says the LATimes article. Mexico does an excellent job of vaccinating its children. (But do illegals once they are here?) Pertussis is whooping cough, and it's a sound you'll never forget once you've heard a child or adult who's had it. According to MMWR, pertussis is cyclical with peaks occurring every 3-5 years in the U.S. But if this increase continues in California, it would be the highest since 1963. Infants die of whooping cough--there are some parents who are spooked by vaccines, but they are putting their children and other children in grave danger.
Also, your immunity after awhile wears off and you may require a booster. I actually had the disease and don't think I've ever had the shot.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 comment:
One of my frequent rants is about people who keep their children away from the pertussis shot. My little sister had whooping cough. I was old enough that one of my frequent tasks was to scoop phlem out of her mouth so she could breathe. We nearly lost her.
Post a Comment