Pennsylvania whooping cough outbreak

November 13, 11:16 PMPhiladelphia Parenting ExaminerJen Orosky

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An increased number of pertussis cases in Pennsylvania, including an outbreak in a western Pennsylvania school district where at least 16 students were affected, has prompted the Pennsylvania Health Department to release a reminder to parents about the importance of immunizing their infants and children. 
 

In recent years, some parents have been reluctant to vaccinate their children because of speculation that the current vaccination schedule used in the U.S. is linked to an increased risk of developing Autism.  Most pediatricians, however, are quick to argue that there is no finite evidence that supports this claim and continue to recommend vaccinating young children.  

While many think of diseases like whooping cough as obsolete, their infrequency is a result of vaccines.  With less children being regularly vaccinated, cases of once-rare diseases are becoming more prevalent.  In recent weeks there have been other whooping cough outbreaks in parts of  Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Kentucky.