Snohomish County hit with whooping cough epidemic
EVERETT, Wash. -- If you're in Snohomish County and you hear a cough, you better watch out.
The county is experiencing a whooping cough epidemic, and doctors say it's only getting worse.
"So far this year we have had 105 cases reported," said Tim McDonald of the Snohomish Health District. "Absolutely we are in an epidemic and the epidemic is increasing in severity."
In most years, the county gets just 20 cases of whooping cough. Despite the jump in cases, Dr. Jack Stephens said some parents don't seem too concerned about getting their kids vaccinated.
"Just yesterday I had a mother who didn't want to vaccinate because her child was fussy," he said. "I mean fussy is better than dead."
Stephens said when people don't vaccinate their children, outbreaks like this recent one can happen.
"People come in and see me, I offer vaccine and they decline for a multiple of reasons, including safety," he said. "I think this outbreak proves you are better protected than vulnerable."
Stephens said the benefits of getting the vaccine far outweigh any safety risks associated with the shot. He also said adults may not even know if they have whooping cough because the symptoms are similar to common cold. However, that same whooping cough can be fatal to children.
The Snohomish Health District will be offering free doses of the vaccine on Saturday from 9 a.m. To 1 p.m. at Group Health Everett.
The county is experiencing a whooping cough epidemic, and doctors say it's only getting worse.
"So far this year we have had 105 cases reported," said Tim McDonald of the Snohomish Health District. "Absolutely we are in an epidemic and the epidemic is increasing in severity."
In most years, the county gets just 20 cases of whooping cough. Despite the jump in cases, Dr. Jack Stephens said some parents don't seem too concerned about getting their kids vaccinated.
"Just yesterday I had a mother who didn't want to vaccinate because her child was fussy," he said. "I mean fussy is better than dead."
Stephens said when people don't vaccinate their children, outbreaks like this recent one can happen.
"People come in and see me, I offer vaccine and they decline for a multiple of reasons, including safety," he said. "I think this outbreak proves you are better protected than vulnerable."
Stephens said the benefits of getting the vaccine far outweigh any safety risks associated with the shot. He also said adults may not even know if they have whooping cough because the symptoms are similar to common cold. However, that same whooping cough can be fatal to children.
The Snohomish Health District will be offering free doses of the vaccine on Saturday from 9 a.m. To 1 p.m. at Group Health Everett.
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