Whooping cough cases soar as vaccination rates drop
NBC News••health
Key Points:
- A surge in whooping cough cases in the U.S. has led to over 26,000 infections in 2025, the highest since 2014, with significant outbreaks in Texas and Oregon contributing to multiple child fatalities.
- Declining DTaP vaccination rates, with about 70% of counties below the 95% community protection target, are fueling the resurgence of whooping cough and other preventable diseases, as vaccine hesitancy grows nationwide.
- Newborns like Feleena Owens, too young to be vaccinated, remain highly vulnerable to severe pertussis infections, highlighting the critical role of community immunity and maternal vaccination during pregnancy.
- Despite the availability of effective vaccines and booster shots, waning immunity
