As Whooping Cough Spreads, Schumer Demands Free Vaccinations

[xchrom]

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/07/as_whooping_cou.php


WebMD describes whooping cough as a "disease that causes very severe coughing that may last for months." It is a respiratory infection that can spread rapidly if untreated. And, in recent weeks, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that cases have been popping up across the country of people coming down with the horrible sickness.

In the past year, 18,000 people have reported the disease - a number that is double that of last year's numbers. It is on track to be the highest report rate since 1959, when 40,000 cases of whooping cough were reported.

New York, unfortunately, has been a hotbed for the infection; cases have tripled in recent weeks in the Empire State, rising to about 1,800, as state health officials hurry to prevent the disease from spreading. In the City alone, about 187 cases of whooping cough have been reported.

With that being said, Senator Chuck Schumer is taking his case to the federal government in a plea to urge Washington to provide free vaccinations across the country for anyone over the age of 18 who has yet to receive the medicine.

[kestrel91316]

1. RWers: So what if people cough? It's no big deal.

[mzteris]

3. You're kidding, right?

Its not just a "cough".

1. People do die from it.

2. It's ever so much more than just a cough. You cough and cough and cough. It sounds like you have tb and people start edging away and or glaring at you. You can't breathe. Youre unable yo talk for streatches of time. Tlking, laughing, temp change, stress, anything can bring on an attack. Great way to try and conduct business. Very impressive to sound like youre hacking up a fraking lung for several minutes ata stretch. Sometimes you cough so hard you break a rib. Or gag. Or throw up. Irritate the hell out of your throat. Drool. Cough so hard it makes you pee yourself. Sicken your coworkers and friends and anyone around you figuratively from listening to you and literally because it is highly contagious. And by the time you figure out you have whhooping cough, you're no longer infectious. But you probably have the joy of knowing you've infected countless others, some of whom may suffer serious danger. And, the fun is just beginning because that completely debilitating cough and all those fun little side effects I just mentioned lasts for months.

What they need to do is find out why the vaccines kids are getting aren't working as well as they used to. Has the vaccine changed or has the disease?

[kestrel91316]

4. I didn't think the sarcasm thingie was necessary here. Sigh.

I have a degree in microbiology. I have learned and forgotten more about Bordetella pertussis than most people could ever imagine.

[mzteris]

9. Sorry. I didn't know

you were being sarcastic. Some people do think that way. Some people are quite - um - less intelligent - shall we say. I guess I get used to responding to those types.

I'm sorry for jumping on you for no good reason.

However, I think it is important to make sure people understand what we're talking about here. Maybe others reading this thread do not have a degree in microbiology and might also take your remark seriously. They might then decide to blow off the whole vaccination thing. (Everyone go get a booster NOW! at least it helps lessen the severity/duration. Or it might. Or it might not.)

[kestrel91316]

5. What is happening is the herd immunization rate is way down because of the

anti-vaxers, and when you combine that with the occasional person who doesn't respond adequately to the vaccine, you have a recipe for an epidemic.

[Tumbulu]

6. I don't think it is the anti-vaxxers

I think it is the new vaccine that has only the toxin and not the whole bacteria (which has really cut back on the bad reactions to the vaccine). And I think that the newest version for adults just out as a booster will start to make a difference for the better.

Making the vaccines cheaper or free will make a difference, I have no doubt. I am glad that Senator Schumer is talking about this.

[kestrel91316]

7. IMHO all vaccines for infectious diseases should be free or at least dirt cheap.

When it comes to public health, it's well worth the investment. We can NOT let cost get in the way of promoting herd protection from dangerous infections.

[Tumbulu]

8. I agree- it would make a huge difference

to many, I think.

[Tumbulu]

2. This is a good idea- make it free

I had this one last year and I was charged something like $250 for it! I was so mad and of course my insurance paid something like $20 of it.

Or maybe the new health care rules will put a stop to the very high charges for vaccinations at the doctor's offices.