Cases of whooping cough have skyrocketed this year, increasing by 600% compared to the same period in 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that whooping cough is now at its highest level since 2019.
Experts point to vaccine misinformation and misunderstanding as a possible cause for the spike. A recent survey found that nearly a third of Americans are unsure if pertussis, the bacteria causing whooping cough, is the same as whooping cough itself. Additionally, many people don’t know what vaccines protect against or recognize symptoms of the disease.
The CDC offers two vaccines to prevent whooping cough: Tdap and DTaP. However, only 29% of survey respondents correctly identified the infections protected by Tdap, while 34% were unsure about its effects. Misinformation about the vaccine’s benefits and risks has contributed to confusion among the public.
Other vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as measles, are also experiencing a resurgence worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a drop in cases, but now many countries are reporting large outbreaks. Experts warn that changes to vaccine policy under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership could lead to increased cases of these diseases.
Kennedy, who has expressed skepticism about vaccines, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of Health and Human Services. While some lawmakers have expressed support for vaccination, others are concerned about potential changes to vaccine policy that could limit access to life-saving vaccinations.
Source: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article297249999.html