It’s back—and louder than ever. Whooping cough, a disease many people thought was behind us, is surging again in the U.S., and the reasons why are surprising. From fading vaccines to falling vaccination rates, here’s what every parent—and everyone around babies—needs to know
For most of us, whooping cough is something we vaguely remember from childhood vaccinations—a disease you hear about in history books or maybe old-timey movies. But in 2025, it’s no longer a thing of the past. It’s back, and it’s spreading fast.
According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported whooping cough cases are on a steep rise. So far this year, more than 8,000 cases have been recorded in the U.S.—a huge jump from just over 3,800 at this same point in 2024. And the year before that? The numbers were even lower.
If this trend continues, public health experts warn that we could see the highest number of cases since the vaccine was first introduced back in 1948.
So what’s going on?
A Disease We Thought Was Under Control
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It gets its name from the harsh, hacking cough that ends with a high-pitched “whoop” sound—especially common in children. But in adults, the signs can be more subtle and often mistaken for a lingering cold.
What makes whooping cough particularly dangerous is its effect on infants. Babies under 6 months old are especially vulnerable to severe complications like pneumonia, brain damage, and even death. And the tragic part? Most babies catch it from an adult or older child who didn’t even realize they were carrying the bacteria.
Why It’s Surging Again
There isn’t just one reason for the current spike—it’s a combination of factors all working together.
First, vaccination rates are down. According to a 2024 CDC report, the percentage of kindergartners fully vaccinated against pertussis (and measles) dipped below 93%—down from 95% just a few years ago. That 2% might not sound like much, but in public health terms, it’s enough to weaken herd immunity and allow outbreaks to spread.
Then there’s the vaccine itself. In the 1990s, the original version of the pertussis vaccine was reformulated to reduce side effects like fever or nausea. It worked—but the trade-off was a drop in long-term effectiveness. Today’s pertussis vaccine offers good short-term protection but tends to wane after a few years. That’s why booster shots are so important.
The problem is, not everyone remembers (or is encouraged) to get them.
The CDC recommends a strict vaccine schedule for children starting at 2 months old, with additional shots at 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and again between 4-6 years. A booster follows at around age 11 or 12. Adults should get a Tdap booster every 10 years—especially if they’re around newborns or young children.
Vaccine Hesitancy: A Growing Problem
While the pertussis vaccine isn’t perfect—no vaccine is—it’s still the best defense we have. People who are vaccinated are less likely to get infected, and if they do, their symptoms are usually milder and shorter-lasting.
Unfortunately, rising vaccine hesitancy is making the situation worse. Misinformation and skepticism about routine childhood vaccines have taken hold in some communities, leading more parents to delay or skip shots altogether.
That’s creating dangerous gaps in our collective immunity. Infections that used to be rare are starting to gain ground—and whooping cough is a clear example.
Why Treatment Isn’t the Answer
If you or your child gets whooping cough, antibiotics like azithromycin can help reduce how long you’re contagious—but they don’t do much to ease the actual coughing. That’s because the bacteria produce toxins that irritate the respiratory tract, and even after the bacteria are gone, the damage can linger for weeks or even months.
Over-the-counter cough suppressants and home remedies generally don’t work well either. The best strategy, by far, is prevention.
What You Can Do
If you’re a parent or caregiver, double-check your child’s vaccine schedule and make sure they’re up to date. If you’re pregnant, know that getting the Tdap vaccine during the third trimester can help protect your newborn during those critical first months of life.
And if you’re a grandparent, teacher, or someone who spends time around babies? Make sure you’re current on your booster shots too.
The return of whooping cough is a reminder that public health victories can be fragile. But with awareness, up-to-date vaccinations, and a little caution, we can keep this old threat from becoming a new normal.
