LOS ANGELES (CBS) — California is experiencing an epidemic with whooping cough.

Ironically, doctors report that more parents seem to be wary of giving their children the vaccine to ward off the disease.

It is this disconnect that Dr. Jayvee Regala discussed Monday as an in-studio guest on the KCAL 9 News at Noon.

Dr. Regala, the Director of Pediatrics and Pediatric Trauma with Northridge Hospital Medical Center, is part of a 17-member panel of doctors urging parents to get their kids vaccinated. He said, and warned, that by the time a child comes down with the disease, it might be too late.

Whooping cough (AKA Pertussis) can be deadly. And Dr. Regala fears the death toll could rise…

To find out more about vaccine information, click on the following link for the Facey Medical Group: http://www.facey.com/index.php