Photo: Highwaystarz-Photography / iStock / Getty Images
The United States is witnessing a significant increase in whooping cough cases, with the number of reported cases in 2024 being more than four times that of the previous year. This surge is particularly noticeable among unvaccinated teenagers, a trend that some experts attribute to vaccine hesitancy following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Tina Tan, president-elect of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, stated, "With the increase in vaccine hesitancy that has been going on since the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re seeing outbreaks occurring in kids who are not vaccinated."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 14,569 cases of whooping cough so far in 2024, a significant increase from the 3,475 cases reported in 2023.
Whooping cough, officially known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. The disease is often referred to as "whooping cough" due to the distinctive sound made by individuals, especially babies, when trying to get enough oxygen during coughing fits.
The current vaccines for pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus (DTaP) are effective but immunity wanes over time, necessitating booster shots every 10 years, starting in the tween years. However, many adolescents and adults are not getting vaccinated as they should, leading to an increase in disease occurrence.
Some states are experiencing massive spikes in whooping cough cases. For instance, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported that pertussis cases are 10 times higher than they were last year, with 625 confirmed cases in 2024 compared to 51 in 2023. Nearly half of all cases reported so far this year in Wisconsin are among individuals aged 11 to 18.
Doctors are urging parents to ensure their children are up to date with their vaccines to prevent the spread of whooping cough.