Whooping cough cases have surged to alarming levels nationwide, with declining vaccination rates leaving American children vulnerable to a preventable disease that once killed thousands annually before government health programs brought it under control.
Story Highlights
- More than 25,000 cases of whooping cough were recorded in 2025, far exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
- Vaccination rates among kindergarteners have dropped from 95% to 92.1% since the pandemic.
- Multiple child deaths have been reported in Louisiana and Washington state this year.
- Cases remain elevated despite trending down from winter 2024 peak levels.
Surge Continues Multi-Year Troubling Pattern
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports over 25,000 cases of whooping cough nationwide in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of elevated infections.
This represents a significant increase from the 18,600 cases recorded in 2019, before pandemic disruptions affected standard disease patterns. The last time cases reached these levels was 2014, when more than 32,900 infections were documented across the United States.
Waning immunity and falling vaccination rates fuel pertussis outbreaks
— In the first 3 months of 2025, the U.S. tallied 6,600 cases — four times last year's pace. #RSNA25 https://t.co/0LhRL999NR— Ian Weissman, DO (@DrIanWeissman) November 24, 2025
Declining Vaccination Rates Threaten Community Protection
Vaccination coverage among kindergarteners has dropped to concerning levels, with only 92.1% receiving whooping cough vaccines during the 2024-25 school year compared to approximately 95% before the pandemic.
This decline undermines the community immunity that has protected American children for decades. The vaccine program, introduced in the late 1940s, reduced whooping cough cases by more than 90% from pre-vaccine-era levels, when an estimated 200,000 children contracted the disease annually.
Disease Poses Serious Risk to Vulnerable Populations
Whooping cough, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, is especially dangerous for infants and young children. The bacteria attach to respiratory system cilia, releasing toxins that damage these hair-like structures and cause upper airway swelling.
Several deaths have occurred this year, including cases in Louisiana and Washington state. The disease spreads through coughing and sneezing, with infected individuals remaining contagious for weeks while potentially unaware of their condition.
Medical Response and Prevention Strategies
Early symptoms mirror those of a common cold, including a runny nose, cough, and low-grade fever, lasting 1 to 2 weeks. However, the illness can progress to violent coughing fits that persist for up to 12 weeks.
Antibiotics effectively treat whooping cough when administered early, reducing infection severity. Two vaccine types currently protect against the disease: DTaP for children under seven and Tdap for older children, adults, and pregnant women, maintaining the protective barrier that once saved thousands of young lives each year.
