Measles & Pertussis: Anti-Vaxxers Linked to Infant Deaths
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Rising Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Cases and Infant Deaths Highlight Vaccination Importance
What is Happening with Pertussis?
Recent reports indicate a concerning rise in pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, across the United States, with Kentucky experiencing a especially severe outbreak. This increase is occurring alongside renewed concerns about declining vaccination rates and the resurgence of other vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.
While measles has garnered significant attention due to its near-eradication followed by a dramatic return, pertussis presents a diffrent, yet equally serious, challenge. Unlike measles, the pertussis vaccine’s protection wanes over time, requiring booster shots. However, unvaccinated individuals remain disproportionately affected, contributing significantly to both infections and fatalities.
Kentucky’s Outbreak and Tragic Infant Deaths
Kentucky is currently experiencing its largest pertussis spike since 2012.Tragically, the state has reported three infant deaths from whooping cough in the past year – the first reported deaths as 2018. According to the Kentucky Department of Public Health,none of the infants or their mothers had been vaccinated against the disease.
kentucky department of Public Health report on the third infant death due to pertussis. View the full report.
This outbreak underscores the critical importance of vaccination, not only for infants but also for pregnant individuals, who can receive a booster shot to pass protective antibodies to their babies.
Pertussis vs. Measles: A Comparison
| Disease | Vaccine | Vaccine Effectiveness | Duration of Protection | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measles | MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) | ~97% (two doses) | Lifelong | Highly contagious; can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. |
| Pertussis (Whooping cough) | DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular pertussis) & Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, acellular Pertussis) | ~80-90% (initial series) | 5-10 years | Severe coughing spells; particularly dangerous for infants. Can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and death. |
While both diseases are preventable through vaccination, the differing duration of protection highlights the need for booster shots for pertussis, especially for those in close contact with infants.
Why is Pertussis Increasing?
Several factors contribute to the rise in pertussis cases:
- Waning Immunity: Protection from the DTaP vaccine decreases over time, necessitating booster doses (Tdap) for adolescents and adults.
- Decreasing Vaccination Rates: Lower vaccination coverage in communities creates pockets of susceptibility, allowing the disease to spread more easily.
- Underreporting: Mild cases of pertussis may go undiagnosed and unreported, leading to an underestimation of the true incidence.
- Evolution of the Bacteria: Changes in the Bordetella pertussis bacteria may reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines.