Whooping Cough on the Rise in Tennessee: Why Vaccination Matters

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is seeing a resurgence in Tennessee and across the United States. This highly contagious bacterial infection, which is preventable through vaccination, demands immediate public health attention, according to Dr. Anthony Flores, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC reports that Tennessee has recorded over 200 cases so far this year, contributing to the nationwide tally of more than 25,000 cases. Dr. Flores attributes the rise in cases to vaccine hesitancy and warns that the majority of severe cases, particularly those requiring hospitalization, occur in unvaccinated children.

“Lower vaccination rates and the cyclical nature of whooping cough outbreaks are driving the current surge,” Flores explained.

Symptoms and Risks

Whooping cough often begins with mild symptoms like a runny nose and low-grade fever, but it progresses to severe coughing fits that can persist for weeks. The hallmark “whoop” sound, caused by difficulty breathing, is most pronounced in children but can affect all age groups.

Newborns are particularly vulnerable, as their immunity depends on antibodies passed from their mothers during pregnancy. Dr. Flores highlighted the importance of maternal vaccination in the third trimester to help protect infants before they begin their vaccination schedule at 2 months of age.

Vaccination Recommendations

Health officials recommend a full schedule of vaccinations to prevent pertussis:

  • Children: The whooping cough vaccine is administered as part of routine immunizations.
  • Adolescents: Booster shots are essential to maintain protection.
  • Adults: The Tdap vaccine is recommended every 10 years to counteract waning immunity.

Dr. Flores urged timely vaccinations to curb the spread of whooping cough and prevent severe illness, particularly in the most vulnerable populations.

By staying on top of immunizations, communities can protect themselves and reduce the risk of further outbreaks.

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