An Australian mom named Sarah recently shared a poignant video of her four-month-old son grappling with a coughing fit caused by whooping cough. Her goal? To shed light on the harsh reality of this disease and encourage parents to vaccinate themselves and their children.
The video captures her little one’s struggle to breathe, taken 23 days after his cough first began. Though he received his first dose of the whooping cough vaccine, it’s not enough to fully protect him. Sarah emphasizes the importance of herd immunity, which helps shield young children while they await their complete vaccination schedules. “I want to show how terrifying it is to care for a newborn with whooping cough,” she explains.
In her heartfelt message, Sarah urges those who are undecided about vaccinations to reconsider. “This is a ‘good’ coughing fit for him, and it’s still frightening,” she shares. “You can imagine how much worse it gets. Watching him turn blue from coughing is every parent’s nightmare.”
She points out that many anti-vaccine arguments are made without the experience of witnessing the real consequences of these diseases. “Just think about how fragile a tiny newborn’s body is,” she adds. “Doctors have told me he has the advantage of age, size, and his first vaccination, but there’s no real treatment – just trying to get him some oxygen.”
Sarah continues, “I don’t care if you want to debate the effectiveness of vaccines. At least I’m doing something to protect my child. Sitting back and doing nothing goes against every instinct I have as a mother.”
In sharing her story, Sarah hopes to highlight the importance of taking action and protecting our little ones. If you want to learn more about the significance of vaccinations and herd immunity, check out this excellent resource on fertility and pregnancy.
In summary, Sarah’s video serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by families dealing with whooping cough, urging parents to prioritize vaccinations for the health of their children and the community.