Jan 22, 2009 1:22 pm US/Eastern
CDC Urges Moms To Receive Whooping Cough Vaccine
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
-
-
According to a new Northwestern University study, all moms' should receive the whooping couph vaccine before their babies come home from the hospital. (File Photo)
CBS
A mother's number one priority is of course keeping her baby safe and healthy. But most new moms' don't know they've got to protect their baby from themselves, reports CBS station KCBS-TV.
Niwa Kapumbu never dreamed she could be a danger to her newborn baby.
Like most moms with new babies, she had no idea she should be vaccinated for whooping cough. But according to a new Northwestern University study, all moms' should receive the whooping couph vaccine before their babies come home from the hospital.
The illness, characterized by severe coughing, can be deadly for babies who aren't able to be vaccinated for at least two-months.
"It is a very serious infection, especially the younger an infant is," Dr. Kenneth Gottesman said.
According to the State University of New York, only about two-percent of parents with babies in intensive care get the shot. Many were vaccinated as children, but don't realize it wears off after six to eight years.
The Centers for Disease Control now recommends booster shots for all adults and teens. Before there was a vaccine, whooping cough killed about 10,000 Americans per year. Doctors believe it's making a comeback as more parents choose not to vaccinate their kids.
Niwa Kapumbu says she'll do whatever it takes.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
