Dr John Schieffelin, a seasoned expert in pediatric infectious diseases, has spent two decades confronting a myriad of infections, yet none have mirrored the sudden and paced surge of pertussis cases.
Commonly dubbed whooping cough, this ailment infiltrates the respiratory system with an insidious grip, progressing into an unrelenting, agonizing paroxysm that seizes the entire body. The afflicted endure spasmodic coughing fits so severe that each desperate gasp for air is punctuated by a distinctive, high-pitched “whoop.” Even the intervention of a ventilator fails to halt this relentless barrage, notes Schieffelin, an associate professor of pediatrics at Tulane University, according to CNN.
“For newborns, the experience is utterly harrowing,” he explained. “Their frail bodies convulse in perpetual coughing spells, rendering them incapable of feeding or hydrating themselves. Pneumonia often ensues, compelling us to place them on ventilators. The coughing—unceasing, merciless—simply refuses to abate.”
The repercussions in Louisiana have been tragic. Over the past half-year, two infants have succumbed to pertussis—the first such fatalities in the state since 2018, according to health officials.
The epidemic’s trajectory is alarming. With 110 documented cases already in Louisiana this year, the tally is fast encroaching upon the 154 recorded in all of 2024. The affliction’s resurgence is not confined to state borders; nationwide, the pattern is distressing. Last year, the United States bore witness to over 35,000 instances of whooping cough—the most in over a decade—resulting in 10 fatalities, six of whom were infants younger than one year old. While these diseases tend to ebb and flow in cyclical patterns, 2025 has already seen approximately 6,600 infections, nearly quadrupling the count at the same juncture the previous year.
.@la_surgeon Ralph Abraham urges vaccination ffor whooping cough after two babies died from whooping cough in Louisiana this year. (Abraham has expressed skepticism about vaccines more generally.) Story from @rosiewestwood #lalege #lagov https://t.co/aU8cqJbHXJ
— Julie O'Donoghue (@JSODonoghue) March 31, 2025
“When outbreaks like this surface,” explained Dr. Lisa Morici, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Tulane University School of Medicine, “it is typically due to heightened pathogen circulation within the community, coupled with segments of the population whose immunity is either nonexistent or waning—making them highly susceptible to infection,” as per reports by CNN.
As case numbers spiral, experts are issuing an unequivocal call for vaccination.
Before the advent of immunization, whooping cough afflicted over 200,000 individuals annually in the US. The widespread deployment of the vaccine in 1948 ushered in a precipitous decline in cases. However, the 1980s witnessed a resurgence, largely attributed to increased disease surveillance and the gradual diminishment of vaccine-induced immunity. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily suppressed pertussis transmission, as widespread mask-wearing and social distancing inadvertently stifled the spread of various infectious diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises a stringent vaccination schedule: infants should receive diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine at two, four, and six months of age, followed by booster doses between 15–18 months and again between ages four and six. Adolescents require an additional booster—administered as the Tdap vaccine—between ages 11 and 12, while adults are urged to reinforce their immunity with a Tdap booster every decade.
Newborns, too young to receive the vaccine, remain perilously vulnerable to the bacterium. Consequently, health officials strongly advocate for expectant mothers to receive the vaccine in their third trimester, ensuring passive antibody transfer to the infant. This maternal immunization strategy slashes pertussis incidence in young infants by 78% and reduces the likelihood of hospitalization by 91 percent, according to the CDC.
Another critical safeguard is the strategy of “cocooning,” wherein all household members and caregivers surrounding the infant receive vaccinations, fortifying a protective barrier against potential exposure, Schieffelin noted, according to CNN.
Despite these measures, the immunity conferred by the vaccine gradually diminishes over time, necessitating boosters—one probable factor fueling the current outbreaks.
Compounding this issue is the troubling decline in immunization rates. Over the past five years, the percentage of US kindergartners receiving the DTaP vaccine has steadily dwindled, leaving thousands susceptible to infection.
#WTF PEOPLE VACCINATE YOUR DAMN CHILDREN! Two infants die of whooping cough in Louisiana as cases climb nationally https://t.co/jGMxuhhF8z via @Yahoo
— Pushy Galore (@galore_pushy) April 3, 2025
Beyond vaccine hesitancy, accessibility remains a formidable barrier.
“In a state like Louisiana, the realities of poverty and rural isolation impede access to consistent healthcare,” explained Dr. Jennifer Herricks, founder of Louisiana Families for Vaccines, a nonprofit dedicated to public immunization education. “This is precisely why robust state programs and clear messaging are indispensable.”
Alarmingly, Louisiana’s pertussis surge coincides with the state Department of Health’s decision to curtail vaccine outreach, discontinuing promotional efforts through health fairs and public initiatives.
“The Louisiana Department of Health has historically championed vaccinations through community health events, partnerships, and media campaigns,” stated Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham in a memo. “While we encourage patients to discuss the merits and risks of immunization with their healthcare providers, the Department will no longer advocate for mass vaccination initiatives.”
The memo sought to differentiate between seasonal inoculations—such as COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, typically administered in mass clinics—and routine childhood immunizations, which it recognized as “a fundamental element in safeguarding children’s immunity.” Nonetheless, local officials remain apprehensive about the potential implications of this shift in policy.
“When skepticism is cast on the safety or efficacy of any one vaccine, the repercussions extend far beyond that singular immunization,” warns Dr. Jennifer Avegno, director of the New Orleans Health Department. “Doubt in one vaccine breeds doubt in all,” as per CNN.
Last week, Abraham acknowledged the recent pertussis fatalities and escalating case numbers, sharing vaccination guidance on social media.
“I’m reassured that our state’s health department is disseminating critical information about pertussis,” Avegno remarked. “But my concern remains—amidst all the noise, is this message resonating? Or is it arriving too late?”
