What did the research discover?
Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a significant rise in whooping cough (also known as pertussis) cases.
For the week ending September 14, 2024 there were 291 new cases were reported, with New York and Oklahoma experiencing the highest numbers.
So far in 2024, the U.S. has recorded over 14,500 cases, which is more than four times the amount reported during the same time last year.
The last time the U.S. saw such high numbers was in 2015. This rise is concerning because whooping cough can be severe, especially for unvaccinated children and newborns of unvaccinated mothers.
One reason for the increase in cases is related to the vaccines currently used to prevent whooping cough.
While these newer vaccines are safer with fewer side effects, they are not as long-lasting or effective as the older versions. As a result, there is a growing number of breakthrough infections, particularly in older children, adults, and even the elderly.
In Pennsylvania and New York, teens aged 15 to 19 have fueled a large part of the outbreak. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, the surge has affected people of all ages, even as old as 86. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now considering the development of more effective pertussis vaccines.
How can I apply this research?
To protect yourself and your loved ones from whooping cough, it’s important to follow vaccination guidelines. The CDC recommends regular pertussis vaccines for children, along with Tdap booster shots for adults every 10 years.
If you’re an adult and it’s been a while since your last booster, now might be a good time to check in with your healthcare provider.
Additionally, it’s crucial for pregnant women to get vaccinated, as this can help protect newborns who are most vulnerable to severe disease. Parents should also make sure their children are up to date on their vaccines, especially as cases continue to rise.
While the increase in whooping cough cases is concerning, health officials reassure the public that overall rates are still much lower than they were before vaccines became widely available.
Source:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). 2024 Week 37 Table 990 [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; 2024 [cited 2025 Jan 10]. Available from: https://wonder.cdc.gov/nndss/static/2024/37/2024-37-table990.html
- Pennsylvania Department of Health. 2024 Health Alert Network (HAN) 767-9-4: Advisory – Pertussis [Internet]. Harrisburg: PA.gov; 2024 [cited 2025 Jan 10]. Available from: https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/documents/2024%20HAN/2024-767-9-4-ADV-Pertussis.pdf
