Why Aren't More People Getting the Whooping Cough Vaccine?

Whooping cough is serious. Babies can get very sick and even die from it. So, why are there more cases of whooping cough lately? One big reason is that not enough people are getting the vaccine. Infants start getting it at two months old, then again at four months and six months. They get two more shots by the time they are six years old. Teens and adults should get a booster every ten years. Pregnant women should get a shot during each pregnancy. In 2024, the U. S. saw around 35, 435 cases of whooping cough. That's five times more than in 2023 and the most since 2012. Some people think the pandemic made infections go down, but now they're back up. Another problem is that people are hesitating to get vaccines, even for kids. Some people in the new government might make this worse.

Doctors should make it easy for people to get the vaccine. They should talk to pregnant women about how important it is. Doctors should also offer the vaccine to parents when they bring their newborns. Even if you're not pregnant or a kid, you should get your vaccine. It's not perfect, but it lowers your chances of getting sick and makes symptoms less severe. Some moms don't know about the vaccine. Doctors should tell them. Moms should get the shot toward the end of each pregnancy. People around newborns should also be up to date on their vaccine. There are easy ways to check if you need a booster. Many doctors' offices and health departments can help. If you have a cough and work with kids or in healthcare, get tested. You might need to stay home and take medicine.

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