Tragic Loss Sparks Call for Vaccination Awareness as Whooping Cough Cases Surge
A mother has revealed her heartbreak after losing her baby to a violent coughing condition just weeks after he was born.
Kathryn Alcaide, from Chicopee, Massachusetts, shared her story about her son Brady, who was born healthy at 8 lbs 6 oz in November 2012. Unfortunately, in January, he began suffering from symptoms resembling a cold, which turned out to be whooping cough.
Mrs. Alcaide and her husband, Jon, rushed Brady to the emergency room when his fever spiked to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Over the next two weeks, his condition deteriorated, leading to lung failure and ultimately, cardiac arrest.
Brady was diagnosed with whooping cough, a highly contagious bacterial infection that can be deadly for infants. He passed away just shy of his second month.
Although Brady’s tragedy occurred a decade ago, his parents are once again sharing their story as a resurgence of whooping cough is reported throughout the U.S. Cases of the illness, also known as pertussis, have skyrocketed, with over 19,600 confirmed cases reported in just the first few months of 2024, compared to around 3,500 during the same time last year.
Mrs. Alcaide reflected on the situation, stating: “The increase in cases reminds us how vital it is for people to stay up to date on their vaccinations, not just for their own health, but to protect those who are too young or medically unable to get vaccinated. No family should have to endure the loss of a child from something that could be prevented.”
Brady passed away due to complications from whooping cough in January 2013 when he was just shy of two months old. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Alcaide
Whooping cough poses a severe threat to infants and young children, especially those like Brady who are too young to have received the vaccine. The CDC recommends a series of Tdap vaccines aimed at protecting against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, beginning at two months of age.
Unfortunately, vaccination rates among young children declined during the pandemic and have yet to recover. An estimated 82% of babies born in 2018 and 2019 received all four recommended doses, but this number dropped to 79% for those born in 2020 and 2021.
To achieve herd immunity, which is vital for protecting vulnerable populations, vaccination coverage of 92 to 94% is necessary. Despite the risks, some parents remain hesitant about vaccination due to misconceptions about safety, including debunked claims linking vaccines to autism.
Mrs. Alcaide expressed her frustration about the rising number of whooping cough cases, stating: “It’s heartbreaking to hear that cases are rising, especially because this is a vaccine-preventable disease.”
Brady’s journey began with a severe cough that made breathing difficult. He was initially misdiagnosed with a cold but was later admitted to the hospital, where his condition fluctuated before deteriorating critically.
One day before his passing, Mrs. Alcaide updated her social media community about Brady’s grave condition, mentioning: “He is in critical condition his heart stopped and they had to give him compressions. They are worried about brain injury; please pray he will be a healthy boy playing baseball someday.”
After his tragic death, she shared her thoughts on the widespread disregard for diseases like whooping cough, emphasizing the need for awareness and prevention.
Whooping cough remains especially dangerous for infants, with significant percentages of those affected developing severe complications, including pneumonia and seizures. Tragically, the mortality rates for the disease are alarming, with one in 100 infants succumbing to it.
Since Brady’s passing, Kathryn and Jon have become vocal advocates for childhood vaccinations, believing that Brady contracted the illness from an unvaccinated individual. They stress the importance of herd immunity and encourage parents to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases.
The Alcaides call on all families to ensure their children are vaccinated, stating: “Vaccines are safe, effective, and they’re the best way to protect our loved ones and communities. It’s a choice that makes a real difference.”
Mrs. Alcaide concluded: “We always said that if sharing Brady’s story could save even one life, it would bring a sense of purpose and positivity to our loss.”