The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a record high of 32,085 whooping cough cases in the United States this year, six times more than last year’s numbers. The sharp increase is largely attributed to low vaccination rates. According to the CDC report issued on December 14, the recent surge can be linked to declining vaccination among children and parents’ growing skepticism towards vaccines.
Whooping cough, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, leads to severe coughing fits that can be life-threatening for young children and immunocompromised adults. Fortunately, a vaccine developed in the 1940s has significantly reduced cases in the US. However, vaccination rates among kindergartners have fallen recently, with only 92% of them receiving the DTaP vaccine for the 2023-2024 school year, compared to the federal target of 95%.
Adults are also missing out on booster shots, with only 43% having received a DTaP vaccine booster in the past decade. As a result, many parents are leaving their children vulnerable to an illness that can be easily prevented with proper vaccination. The CDC’s latest data highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect public health and prevent outbreaks like this year’s whooping cough epidemic.
Source: https://www.vice.com/en/article/cdc-reveals-concerning-reason-americans-are-coughing-so-much