Whooping cough is on the rise: Is your child protected?

Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is a very contagious respiratory illness that easily spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It's marked by a series of short, violent coughs. Sometimes these coughs are followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like whoop.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitors and tracks cases of whooping cough in the U.S. Preliminary data shows that the number of cases of whooping cough in 2024 (over 11,000) is already four times the number of cases in 2023. Experts believe this significant rise is due to a “waning immunity” in adults and teens.

"Everyone should get fully vaccinated to help prevent whooping cough. And adults and pregnant women need booster shots because vaccines given in childhood do not provide lifelong immunity," says Jeffrey Kahn M.D., Director of Infectious Disease at Children's Health℠ and Professor at UT Southwestern.

Why is it important to prevent whooping cough?

There are several reasons why it's important to prevent the spread of whooping cough, including:

• Whooping cough can be deadly. This is especially true for young babies who have not yet received all their vaccinations.
• It's very contagious. Without immunity, 8 out of 10 people will get whooping cough if they're exposed to someone who has it. And once you have it, you can be contagious for weeks. So it's common for adults (who may not have a severe cough) to infect more susceptible infants and children.
• The violent fits of coughing can last for several months. This can cause soreness and pain in the ribs. It can also prevent getting good, restful sleep.

"The cough due to pertussis can last weeks or months. Some people refer to it as the 'cough of 100 days.' So anyone who has a persistent cough should be evaluated by a doctor," says Dr. Kahn.

How do you prevent whooping cough?

Both children and adults can prevent whooping cough by getting vaccinated. There are two types of combination vaccines that provide protection: DTaP and Tdap.

What is a DTaP vaccine?

The vaccine that protects younger children against whooping cough is called a DTaP vaccine. The DTaP vaccine for children is a combination vaccine that protects against:

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Whooping cough (pertussis)

The CDC recommends a series of five shots, which are given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age; between 15 and 18 months – and before a child enters school at age 4-6 years.

What is a Tdap vaccine?

The Tdap vaccine is a booster shot that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, but is specifically for children older than 7, adults and pregnant women.

According to the CDC, adolescents should receive a single dose of Tdap at 11 or 12 years old. Adults should get a dose of Tdap and a booster shot every 10 years, or every 5 years in the case of a severe or dirty wound or burn. Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, preferably in the third trimester, to help protect their newborn from pertussis as they are most at risk for severe complications.

Get vaccinated

Learn more about why vaccinations are important for your child and find a recommended immunization schedule. Schedule an appointment with a pediatrician to make sure your child is fully vaccinated.