Novel’s story of illness a reminder to get vaccinated

I have recently been reading “Fearless: A Novel of Francis Perkins and Social Security” by Joanna Higgins-Freese. The story takes place during the FDR presidency. In this story, her daughter develops a cold, then bronchitis, and then whooping cough. She is highly contagious, moved out of her hospital room to a closet, suffers greatly, cannot breathe, coughs repeatedly, throws up, etc.

I have not had whooping cough, nor has anyone I know. I did not really know anything about it. Why? Because of the vaccine! I am so glad that I received that vaccine while I was growing up. Thank goodness vaccines are still available for many diseases. I hope we all appreciate the vaccines that have saved our lives and continue to do so. Please, please get vaccinated.

Pat Penn

Iowa City