U.S. Whooping Cough Cases Surge to Over 32,000, a 6-Fold Increase, Amid Vaccine Hesitancy

Dec 24, 2024, 11:00 AM

The United States is experiencing the highest number of whooping cough cases in a decade, with over 32,000 cases recorded this year. This represents a six-fold increase compared to the same period last year, when 5,100 cases were reported. The surge in cases is attributed to several factors, including a decline in vaccination rates, waning vaccine protection, and improved testing capabilities. Infants are particularly vulnerable, with the disease posing a high risk of infection and severe complications. Experts have noted an increase in vaccine hesitancy, leading to more unvaccinated children contracting whooping cough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations starting at 2 months of age, with booster shots administered throughout childhood and into adulthood. Despite high vaccination rates overall, there has been a noticeable decline in recent years, with the percentage of children receiving the required doses of the DTaP vaccine dropping from 94% to around 92.5% for those born between 2020 and 2021. The Tdap vaccine is recommended for preteens and adults.