Rise in Whooping Cough Cases Amid Vaccine Challenges
There’s a concerning increase in whooping cough cases happening during President Donald Trump’s term. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that this highly infectious respiratory illness is on the rise across the U.S. It can cause severe coughing spells that might even lead to vomiting or broken ribs, which makes it particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups like infants under a year old.
As of late May 2025, there have been approximately 11,720 whooping cough cases reported this year. This follows a significant surge in cases last year that surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
An expert indicated that this uptick in cases seems to stem from declining vaccination rates among children combined with a lack of exposure to the disease during the pandemic. Whooping cough is caused by a bacterium known as Bordetella pertussis, which inflames the airways.
While the disease can be prevented through vaccination, the CDC’s data reveals that immunization rates for children have decreased recently, according to various analyses.
The CDC emphasizes the importance of whooping cough vaccination for everyone, particularly for infants who face a greater risk of severe complications. Data show that ten individuals, mostly infants, died from whooping cough in 2024.
The initial vaccination is often administered in childhood to protect against pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria. A booster shot is typically recommended every ten years for adults to maintain immunity against pertussis and tetanus.
Moreover, health professionals advise pregnant women to receive the vaccine to help transfer some immunity to their newborns.
This increase in whooping cough cases coincides with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. Known for his controversial views regarding vaccines, Kennedy has claimed, without credible evidence, that vaccines are linked to autism.
Health experts have raised alarms that the prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases could rise under Kennedy’s leadership. Alongside whooping cough, there have also been measles outbreaks as childhood vaccination rates decline.
This skepticism towards vaccines is highlighted in Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” report, which experts contend includes misleading information. The scrutiny toward childhood vaccines—recognized for preventing many deadly diseases—has become a focal point of the report, questioning the need for school vaccination mandates and advocating for more thorough clinical trials, including placebo-controlled studies.
Kennedy, a long-time vaccine critic, continues to express doubts about vaccine safety, even as the measles outbreak afflicts over a thousand Americans. Recently, his department has sought to restrict access to COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S.
