In today’s world, it’s astonishing that some parents still opt out of vaccinating their children against preventable diseases. One mother, Mia Johnson from Vancouver, is taking a brave step by sharing touching images of her baby battling whooping cough in an effort to remind everyone that vaccinating isn’t just a personal choice—it’s a communal responsibility.
In a poignant Facebook post, Johnson emphasized the importance of herd immunity, stating, “I hesitated to share this, but I think people need to understand the impact of not vaccinating, especially on little ones like my 6-week-old daughter, Ava.” Ava has been in the Pediatric ICU since she was just six weeks old, grappling with whooping cough. “She was on a ventilator for three weeks and is still facing a long recovery in the hospital,” Johnson continued.
Ava was too young to receive her whooping cough vaccine, which is typically administered at two months old in both Canada and the U.S. Johnson added, “Watching my tiny baby go through this is heartbreaking. She has to relearn how to eat and is dealing with withdrawal symptoms from the medications she was on while on the ventilator.”
These images are tough to look at, but they serve as a critical reminder that vaccinations are a public health issue. Some individuals cannot be vaccinated due to age or health conditions. By vaccinating our own children, we help protect those who can’t be vaccinated. Herd immunity is essential for the health of everyone in the community.
To help pregnant mothers protect their newborns before they are old enough to get vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that expectant mothers receive the whooping cough vaccine (Tdap) during the third trimester. “This way, your body creates protective antibodies that can be passed to your baby before birth,” the CDC explains. These antibodies can provide short-term protection against whooping cough during the critical early months of life.
Johnson concluded her heartfelt post with a plea to parents everywhere: “Please vaccinate your kids. It’s not fair that my little Ava is in the ICU suffering from a disease that shouldn’t even be a threat in this day and age.”
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In summary, this mother’s emotional plea shines a light on the critical importance of vaccinations—not just for individual children but for the well-being of the entire community. Let’s work together to protect the most vulnerable among us.