Whooping cough cases are on the rise, and health professionals are preparing for challenges ahead. Reports indicate there have been 8,485 cases of whooping cough in 2025, which is double the number from the same time last year, according to preliminary data from health authorities.
The surge in whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is not surprising to experts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of many illnesses, including whooping cough, dropped due to precautions like masking and social distancing. Additionally, whooping cough outbreaks typically occur every two to five years.
Health officials are concerned that the increase in cases of vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough may reflect a growing skepticism about vaccines. Last year saw a decline in vaccination rates among kindergarten students, with the number of children opting out of vaccinations reaching an all-time high.
Dr. Ericka Hayes from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia noted, “There’s unfortunately been increasing anti-vaccine sentiment in the United States. Our recovery is not nearly as quick as we expected it to be. When vaccination rates fall below 95%, we lose herd immunity.”
Whooping cough often peaks around this time of year and in the fall. The illness spreads through respiratory droplets when someone infected coughs or sneezes. Initially, it may resemble a cold, but the distinctive “whoop” sound emerges as the coughing worsens. Treatment typically involves antibiotics.
Recently, two infants in Louisiana and a 5-year-old in Washington state tragically succumbed to whooping cough. The pertussis vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus, is recommended for infants at two, four, and six months old. The CDC suggests that adults receive booster doses every ten years. This vaccine is particularly important for expectant mothers to help protect newborns, but many mothers are not getting vaccinated during pregnancy.
In Pennsylvania, which has seen a significant number of cases, 207 whooping cough instances have been recorded for this year. Neil Ruhland from the state health department stated that the largest outbreaks are occurring in densely populated areas and among middle and high school students. Currently, 94.6% of kindergarteners in Pennsylvania are vaccinated.
Similarly, Michigan is experiencing a year comparable to last year, with 516 cases reported mainly among children aged 5 to 17. Health officials point out that vaccination rates differ significantly across counties, with some schools reporting as low as a 30% vaccination rate, creating vulnerable communities at risk for diseases like pertussis and measles.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, emphasized, “We’re monitoring pertussis numbers closely, but many of our public health resources are focused on addressing measles cases right now.” Public health efforts in 2025 have faced increased difficulties due to limited resources.
With the rise in cases and concerning vaccination trends, it’s clear that a renewed commitment to vaccinations and public health education is needed to protect our communities, especially the most vulnerable among us.
