Whooping cough cases have more than doubled in the past year, prompting health officials to urgently recommend booster shots to protect vulnerable populations, especially infants who face the highest risk of life-threatening complications.
At a Glance
- Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection experiencing a significant resurgence, with over 8,000 cases reported in 2025
- The disease is particularly dangerous for babies under one year old, who may develop pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, or even die from the infection
- Vaccination is the best prevention, with DTaP recommended for children and Tdap boosters for adolescents and adults, including during each pregnancy
- Vaccination protection wanes over time, making booster shots necessary to maintain immunity
- Factors contributing to the resurgence include declining vaccination rates, vaccine hesitancy, and the current acellular vaccine providing less durable protection than older versions
Understanding Whooping Cough and Its Risks
Whooping cough, medically known as pertussis, is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria and spreads easily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The disease earned its common name from the distinctive “whoop” sound many patients make when gasping for air between severe coughing fits. Symptoms typically appear 5 to 21 days after exposure, with most cases developing within 7 to 10 days. Early symptoms resemble a common cold with runny nose, low-grade fever, and mild cough, but gradually progress to severe coughing episodes that can cause vomiting, exhaustion, and the characteristic whooping sound.
For adults and older children, pertussis usually causes uncomfortable but manageable symptoms. However, for infants and young children, the disease poses serious risks including pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death. According to health authorities, 80% of unvaccinated or previously unexposed individuals will develop an infection upon exposure, highlighting the disease’s extreme contagiousness. Pertussis cases dropped temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced social contact, but have since surged past pre-pandemic levels, creating renewed concern among public health officials.
The Vaccination Timeline: Protection Through Life Stages
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a comprehensive vaccination schedule beginning in infancy and continuing through adulthood. Babies should receive three DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) shots at 2, 4, and 6 months, followed by booster shots at 15-18 months and 4-6 years. Preteens need one Tdap shot between ages 11-12, while adults who haven’t previously received Tdap should get one shot regardless of when they last received a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine. After that, all adults should receive either a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years to maintain protection.
Pregnant women face special considerations in the pertussis vaccination schedule. The CDC recommends that women receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks gestation. This timing maximizes antibody transfer to the baby before birth, providing crucial protection during the vulnerable newborn period before the infant can receive their own vaccinations. Research shows this approach is approximately 90% effective in preventing infant hospitalizations due to pertussis, making it a vital strategy for protecting the most vulnerable population.
Factors Behind the Resurgence
Several factors contribute to the current whooping cough resurgence. Declining vaccination rates and growing vaccine hesitancy have created pockets of vulnerability in communities nationwide. Additionally, the acellular pertussis vaccine introduced in the 1990s, while causing fewer side effects than its predecessor, provides less durable protection than the older whole-cell vaccine. This leads to waning immunity over time, particularly in adolescents and adults who may then become carriers capable of infecting vulnerable individuals like unvaccinated or partially vaccinated infants.
While vaccinated individuals can still contract pertussis, they typically experience milder symptoms and shorter illness duration. This important fact underscores why vaccination remains the most effective prevention strategy even if it doesn’t guarantee complete immunity. The recent spike in cases across multiple states has prompted public health departments to issue alerts and vaccination reminders. Arizona, Washington, and several other states have reported significant increases in pertussis cases in 2025, with some areas recording the highest numbers since major outbreaks in 2012 when Washington state alone reported nearly 5,000 cases—the most since 1941.
Taking Action Against Whooping Cough
For those concerned about pertussis protection, the first step is checking vaccination status. Adults over 40 may not realize they need a Tdap booster, especially if they received only tetanus boosters in recent decades. Pregnant women should discuss Tdap vaccination with their healthcare providers during prenatal care. Parents should verify their children are up to date on the recommended DTaP or Tdap vaccines according to age. Those experiencing persistent cough symptoms should seek medical attention promptly, as early antibiotic treatment can reduce symptoms and prevent transmission to others.
Community protection against pertussis requires high vaccination rates to limit transmission and protect vulnerable populations. With the current resurgence, health officials emphasize that maintaining immunization schedules is not just personal protection but a crucial component of public health. For older adults who may not recall having a Tdap booster, consulting with healthcare providers about vaccination status represents a simple but effective step toward protecting themselves and vulnerable community members from this preventable but potentially serious disease.
