Some Seniors Not Too Worried About Whooping Cough

Over 600 people got their flu shots Wednesday at the Joslyn Center’s annual health fair.

“I believe in staying healthy and avoiding the pitfalls,” said Kay Roberts.

But, another illness is affecting California: whooping cough. According to the state Department of Public Health, 279 new cases were diagnosed this week which brings the total number to 6,257.

“There are a lot of hospitalizations — even deaths –in the state this year,” said Brian Beran, of Maxim Healthcare Services. “I think it is the worst cases of whooping cough in the last 50 years.”

Ten death have been reported — all infants younger than three months. Health professionals encourage everyone who has contact with infants to get vaccinated, including relatives and nannies.

Administrators at the Joslyn Center say they know of two cases of whooping cough among their clients. But, the illness did not spread because those two clients stayed away from the center.

Russel and Barbie Smart, of Cathedral City, hold different views about protecting themselves from the the whooping cough crisis.

“I haven’t done any research on it, but I plan on it, especially since I have little great-grandchildren,” Barbie said.

“At my age, it doesn’t make any difference for me,” said Russel. “I’m 76 [years old]. My dad, all of my uncles died before 75 so I’ve already outlived them.”

Another reason some seniors are not too concerned about the whooping cough is because they do not know the facts. Health officials say the whooping cough vaccine wears off over time. Senior citizens who got vaccinated when they were children need to be vaccinated again.