Schumer Calls For Action As Whooping Cough Cases Increase
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Sen. Charles Schumer believes the government needs to take action as the number of whooping cough cases has tripled in New York State from last year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more than 1,200 cases in the state so far this year, with nearly 200 in the city.
The CDC also says the country is headed for its worst year for whooping cough in more than 50 years.
"I am urging the Center for Disease control to put in place a three-part plan that makes free vaccines more readily available at hospitals, doctor's offices and community health clinics, that targets adults that haven't been vaccinated in years and ensures that we have ample supply of the vaccine and a distribution plan in place," Schumer said.
Whooping cough is caused by a bacterial infection and is particularly dangerous to children.
It gets its name because of the "whooping" sound that can be heard when people cough.