Whooping Cough?

Yet another 19th century disease making a comeback, this time almost entirely because of the anti-vaccination crazies:

Area residents are being urged as a precautionary measure to get vaccinated against whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection.

The Ulster County Department of Health issued a press release earlier this month urging residents, especially those who live in families with infants, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The release also said adults should consult their family physician regarding a possible booster vaccination.

“It’s certainly prudent to make sure everyone is properly vaccinated,” Ulster County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith said Friday. She said this is a precautionary measure as some counties south of Ulster have seen an increase in confirmed cases of whooping cough. Smith also said people may still contract whooping cough even if they have been vaccinated, so they should see their doctor if they develop a respiratory problem.

“The youngest are always the most vulnerable,” Smith added.

In recent years there have been all kinds of consiracy theories regarding vaccinations. This, in turn, has lead meany well-meaning people to forgo vaccinations for their children. And putting your own kids at risk is bad enough. But when you add the fact that these sick kids will expose other kids to the illness, well, it's easy to see how people skipping vaccines has an effect on society as a whole. Vaccines save lives, despite what that idiot Jenny McCarty says.