Babies Rely On Other People Being Immune To Scary Infections…Otherwise, This Happens

Some people think that vaccinating their kids is a personal choice, but this heartbreaking video of a five-week-old with whooping cough proves just how wrong they are.

Whooping cough, formally known as pertussis, is a highly contagious, but preventable infection. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, and several weeks of coughing. While older children and adults may cough hard enough to vomit or even break their ribs, babies often have periods when they quit breathing altogether.

Sandra Tee was shocked to learn that her five-week-old daughter, Heidi, had whooping cough. Sadly, she contracted the infection from an unvaccinated child at her brother’s nursery school before she got her eight-week DTaP vaccine.

Facebook / Sandra Tee

Read More: This Little Girl Became Paralyzed In A Matter Of Weeks After Catching A Cold

After Heidi was hospitalized for treatment, her mother shared a video of her receiving oxygen after choking and ceasing to breathe. Although it’s hard to watch, Sandra hopes it will remind others of the importance of vaccines.

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(via Netmums)

Heidi is making progress, but has not fully recovered yet. Hopefully, her story will inspire parents to vaccinate their kids, both for their own safety and that of others.