MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama is grappling with a dramatic resurgence of whooping cough, with confirmed cases soaring from just 41 in 2023 to over 250 in 2024, according to state health officials. Pediatricians and public health experts are pointing to vaccine hesitancy as a key driver of this alarming trend.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that only 71.1% of children are up-to-date on the DTaP vaccine, which protects against pertussis, a sharp decline from 77.6% in 2020. This drop coincides with growing vaccine skepticism fueled by misinformation and pandemic-related healthcare disruptions.
Outbreaks have hit schools across multiple counties, exposing unvaccinated children to the highly contagious disease. Pertussis can cause severe complications, especially for infants under six months, who are at the highest risk of hospitalization or death.
Health officials are urging parents to ensure their children receive the full DTaP series, starting at two months old, to curb the spread. “Vaccination remains our best defense,” said Dr. Altez, a pediatric infectious disease expert.
With cases continuing to rise into 2025, public health campaigns aim to rebuild trust in vaccines and prevent further outbreaks.