Recently, word from Texas concerns a whooping cough epidemic and officials are calling for everyone to be vaccinated. The correct terminology for whooping cough is Pertussis. You cannot just be vaccinated for Pertussis. Instead, if you are going to be vaccinated you need to receive the DTaP. This stands for Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis. You get all three!
Pertussis is a bacterial infection and is spread when infected people cough or sneeze. Children with Pertussis have decreased ability to cough up respirator secretions and generally develop thick, glue-like mucus in the wind pipe. This causes severe coughing spells that make it difficult for children with whooping cough to eat, drink or breathe.
Unlike many other vaccine preventable diseases, the Pertussis bacteria continues to circulate in the population even though most have been immunized. Pertussis is one of the most contagious human diseases and it is a great risk for those who are not vaccinated. Reports show that Pertussis will develop in 90% of unvaccinated children living with someone with Pertussis, and in 50% to 80% of unvaccinated children who attend school or daycare with someone with Pertussis. Most cases of Pertussis can be treated although some cases require hospitalization. Reports show that the Texas epidemic has resulted in at least two deaths as of the time of this blog.
If you decide to vaccinate your children you must be aware that although adverse reactions are rare they do occur. DTaP may cause fever, crankiness, soreness at the injection site, vomiting and decreased appetite. Generally, these minor side effects are treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol). Sometimes, a warm, damp cloth or heating pad may reduce soreness.
Serious adverse reactions are rare, but do happen. Approximately 1 in 1,000 children, experience non-stop crying for more than three hours. 1 in 16,000 children may suffer a serious high fever of over 105. In 1 in 14,000 children who were vaccinated with DTaP, the children experienced seizures.
The DTaP vaccine is not recommended if the patient developed Guillain-Barré syndrome following a Tetanus shot. Also, if your child has suffered seizures, mouth, throat or face swelling, high fevers, difficulty breathing, shock or collapse or persistent, uncontrolled crying, for most than three hours after receiving previous DTaP vaccinations you should consult your child’s medical doctor before having your child vaccinated.
In the event you or a loved one have suffered a serious adverse reaction from a DTaP vaccine or a vaccination of any kind please explore your options for damages through the National Vaccine Injury Program. The Program provides compensation as well as payment of your attorney’s fees and costs so that retaining an attorney able to represent you or your family in such a case is paid for by the Program so there is no financial risk to you in pursuing a claim as well as speaking with an attorney about your claim.
I have been representing victims and families of victims who have had serious adverse reactions from vaccines for almost 30 years. I represent clients and their families across the country. My clients do not pay for my legal fees or costs. If you have any questions about the adverse reactions to the DTaP vaccine or any type of vaccine, please contact me for a no cost, no obligation consultation.
In Wisconsin contact me at (608) 824-9540, in New York at our New York City office at (212) 521-4192, in Illinois contact me at our Chicago office at (312) 988-4830 or nationwide at (866) 455-2993. Of course, please feel free to email me at mark@kh-law.net or check out our website at https://khtlawyers.com. Most of the time vaccines work, but when they don’t we are here to help!
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