Nationwide Spike and Vaccination Decline
The faces a significant increase in whooping cough cases, with 18,506 reported so far this year, marking the highest level for this time of year since 2014.
Despite the availability of effective vaccines, kindergarten vaccination rates have dropped, and vaccine exemptions are at an all-time high, contributing to the spread. Approximately 92% of kindergartners received the whooping cough vaccine nationally.
Impact and Response
Outbreaks are increasingly affecting older children and teens, with significant cases reported in school settings across the U.S., including and .
Health officials emphasize the importance of early testing and antibiotic treatment to prevent further spread, highlighting the disease's severity and the effectiveness of vaccines in prevention.