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Parents Should Get The Whooping Cough Vaxx ASAP

by Korey Lane

Unfortunately, it seems that politics aren't the only thing taking a turn for the worse these days. With norovirus outbreaks, and cold and flu season upon us, our health is now at risk. And with rising numbers of infants being affected by the whooping cough, the CDC has officially issued a new recommended vaccine schedule, one that insists parents should be vaccinated for the whooping cough. As parents try to understand how to best protect their children, many are asking, when should parents get the whooping cough vaccination? The short answer? As soon as possible.

A panel of advisors for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made several changes to their suggested vaccines all Americans should receive, and how often they should receive them. Among the updated information on vaccines, including those about the flu, HPV, and hepatitis B, was more advice regarding the whooping cough. According to the CDC website, it's crucial to "give your baby indirect protection by making sure everyone around her is up-to-date with their whooping cough vaccines."

As several reported cases of whooping cough have been appearing all across the United States, these new proposed sanctions are being taken seriously, and for good reason. Unfortunately, though, the whooping cough vaccine isn't federally mandated, which explains why more and more cases have been popping up. However, there are ways parents can protect their kids, with up-to-date vaccines making the top of that list.

According to the CDC, there are three main ways to help prevent your baby and child from catching the whooping cough:

Through early protection passed from you when you get the whooping cough vaccine in your third trimester of pregnancy.
By being surrounded with family members and caregivers who are up-to-date with their whooping cough vaccine.
By getting all her doses of the whooping cough vaccine according to CDC's recommended schedule.

As stated, it is ideal for mothers to receive the whooping cough vaccine during their third trimester, but that isn't always feasible. Whether it be an adoption, health, or another roadblock in the way, not all pregnant people can get the vaccine when the CDC recommends. But, there are still ways to prevent the whooping cough.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is incredible contagious, so making sure your entire family is current on their vaccines is the first step in preventing your youngest from catching it. On top of that, whooping cough is the most severe for babies, which means that if your child hasn't received the full course of vaccines, they are more susceptible to the disease.

Whooping cough is caused by a bacterial infection, which can be prevented with proper vaccines. So, in order to best prevent the illness in your kids and family, make sure you, and everyone in your household, has a current Tdap vaccine.

And, as always, wash your hands, and sanitize your house. No one wants to see their kids suffer, and whooping cough doesn't have to affect you and your family.