In an effort to raise awareness about the seriousness of whooping cough, an Australian mother recently shared a gut-wrenching video of her four-month-old son gasping for air during a coughing fit. Rebecca Thompson filmed this distressing moment 23 days after her child first exhibited symptoms of pertussis, hoping to show other parents the critical importance of vaccination.
Despite having received his initial dose of the whooping cough vaccine, Rebecca’s son is still vulnerable. The first dose alone doesn’t provide full immunity, underscoring the need for herd immunity—where a significant portion of the population is vaccinated to protect those who can’t be vaccinated yet, such as infants. Rebecca’s intention in sharing this video was to illustrate the terrifying experience of caring for a newborn afflicted with whooping cough.
In her heartfelt message, Rebecca stated, “For those of you hesitating about whether to vaccinate yourselves or your children, I hope this video changes your mind.” She explained that what you are witnessing is a “good” coughing episode for a baby with pertussis, which can last up to 100 days. Even this relatively mild episode serves as a reminder of the much worse moments when her son struggled to breathe and turned blue from the coughing fits.
Many anti-vaccine advocates often discuss vaccine safety without ever facing the realities of the illnesses vaccines prevent. Those who choose not to vaccinate their children against whooping cough likely have never seen the anguish of a newborn fighting for breath. Ironically, these same individuals benefit from the very herd immunity they undermine by refusing vaccinations for their own children.
“Imagine that happening to a tiny baby. Can you even fathom it?” Rebecca expressed, reflecting on her child’s suffering. “The doctors said he has his age and size on his side, along with his first vaccination, but there’s no real treatment for this—only supportive care like getting him oxygen if he can breathe it in, which he has to do all on his own.”
Rebecca firmly believes in the importance of taking preventive measures rather than sitting back and doing nothing, stating, “I refuse to just sit here and say, ‘Oh well, vaccines don’t work.’ At least I tried to do something to protect my child. Doing nothing just feels wrong.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the importance of vaccination and other health-related topics, check out our post on Cervical Insemination for comprehensive insights. For parents considering at-home insemination, you can find reputable options at Make a Mom, which offers a variety of syringe kits to assist in the process. Additionally, Cleveland Clinic provides excellent resources for understanding pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Rebecca Thompson’s emotional video highlights the grave realities of caring for a baby suffering from whooping cough, aiming to persuade parents to vaccinate. With a strong emphasis on the significance of herd immunity and personal responsibility, her message resonates deeply for anyone considering vaccination for themselves and their children.
Leave a Reply