Whooping Cough Cases Surge Amidst Declining Vaccination Rates in the U.S.

The alarming rise in whooping cough cases in the United States has been brought to light, with 8,485 cases recorded in the early part of 2025 compared to just 4,266 cases during the same time in 2024. This uptick is particularly concerning as pertussis, or whooping cough, is a vaccine-preventable disease that can be particularly lethal to infants and young children. The increase is attributed to a confluence of factors including growing anti-vaccine sentiment, budget cuts to immunization programs, and waning vaccination rates. Epidemiologist Annette Regan highlighted several key elements contributing to this resurgence. She identified a cyclic pattern in outbreaks that typically occurs every two to five years, but noted that the current surge appears larger than what would be expected. The shift from whole-cell vaccines to acellular vaccines in the 1990s, which some researchers argue results in shorter-lived immunity, may also play a role in this uptick. Historically, the incidence of pertussis in the U.S. has been significantly curtailed since the introduction of the pertussis vaccine in the 1940s, leading to cases dropping to less than 10,000 annually by the late 1960s. However, since the late 1990s, there has been a resurgence, with cases exceeding 10,000 each year since 2003. The recent increase in cases contrasts sharply with the years during the COVID-19 pandemic when pertussis cases were notably low, likely due to various public health measures like social distancing and masking. Unfortunately, this resurgence has led to at least four reported deaths from pertussis in the U.S. in the past months, including two infants. Such statistics highlight the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect vulnerable populations, particularly infants who cannot be vaccinated until they are at least 6 weeks old. Recommendations for vaccination among children, adolescents, and adults have been reiterated, with a particular emphasis on the need for booster doses to ensure continued immunity. The CDC’s guidelines suggest routine vaccinations for children, with doses spread out from infancy through adolescence and continuing into adulthood. Despite the vaccine's proven safety record, uptake has declined, which could exacerbate the current trend. In light of these circumstances, it is crucial for families to have discussions with their healthcare providers regarding the importance of staying up-to-date with vaccinations to protect against pertussis and other vaccine-preventable diseases.