Whooping Cough on the Rise: Why Oregon's Vaccination Rates Matter

Oregon is facing a serious health issue. The state has seen more cases of whooping cough this year than ever before. This is a big problem because whooping cough can be very dangerous, especially for babies. Health experts say that fewer people are getting vaccinated, and this is making the situation worse. Whooping cough is a very contagious illness. It spreads easily through coughs and sneezes. While anyone can get sick, babies are at the highest risk. Their small airways make it harder for them to breathe when they get infected. This year alone, 87 babies in Oregon have caught whooping cough. Sadly, one baby died, and 22 others had to be hospitalized. One way to protect babies is by vaccinating pregnant people. The vaccine, called Tdap, helps protect both the mother and the baby. However, not enough pregnant people in Oregon are getting this vaccine. In 2024, only 69% of pregnant people received the Tdap shot, down from 72% in 2020. In some rural areas, the vaccination rate is as low as 17%. Health officials say there are a few reasons for this drop in vaccination rates. Some people have trouble accessing healthcare, while others are hesitant about vaccines. This is a problem because when vaccination rates fall below 95%, the community's protection, known as herd immunity, weakens. This makes it easier for diseases like whooping cough to spread. Another issue is that whooping cough can be hard to diagnose. Not everyone who gets it will have the classic "whooping" sound when they cough. Some people might only have mild symptoms and not even realize they are sick. This means they can unknowingly spread the disease to others, especially vulnerable babies. Doctors also point out that the protection from the whooping cough vaccine doesn't last forever. This can confuse people and make them think the vaccine isn't effective. However, health officials stress that getting vaccinated is still the best way to prevent serious illness and hospitalization from whooping cough.