Michigan is experiencing its highest number of pertussis, or whooping cough, cases in over a decade, with 1,530 cases reported as of December 8. Health officials are urging families to stay up to date on immunizations, especially ahead of holiday gatherings, to prevent the spread of serious diseases like pertussis, RSV, COVID-19, and flu.
The majority of cases involve school-aged children between 5 and 17 years old, while nearly 66% of cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those who haven’t received a vaccine in over five years. Health experts say the trend is mirrored nationally and that pertussis poses a serious risk to vulnerable groups like infants and young children.
Vaccination remains the most effective defense against pertussis, with CDC recommendations for the pertussis vaccine for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant people, and adults who haven’t received a dose as adolescents or adults. However, vaccination rates have dropped 3% since January 2020, with only 73.3% of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving the recommended four doses of the DTaP vaccine.
Health officials stress that staying up to date on immunizations, including booster shots for teens and adults, is crucial in safeguarding public health and protecting loved ones from devastating effects of pertussis, especially in babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated.
Source: https://eu.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/12/13/mdhhs-michigan-whooping-cough-cases/76961290007