Cases of whooping cough are on the rise in the United States after a decline during the pandemic. The CDC reports over 28,000 cases so far this year. A new survey reveals that many Americans are not familiar with the disease's symptoms or the availability of a vaccine.
Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of PennsylvaniaDec 17 2024 Following a several-year lull during the pandemic, cases of whooping cough are increasing across the United States. As of Nov. 30, early U.S. data show over 28,000 cases reported this year, or six times as many as in the same period in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The CDC recommends vaccination for everyone against whooping cough, which is spread by coughing or sneezing. The illness may first resemble a common cold but can produce "rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits" a week to two weeks after symptoms appear. People who are vaccinated may still get whooping cough but generally have a milder illness.
Yet only half or less of Americans know which diseases the Tdap vaccine protects against. According to the latest Annenberg Public Policy Center health survey, when a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults is provided with a list of diseases and asked which of these diseases the Tdap vaccine protects against, a third of respondents say they are not sure.
The survey finds that 85% of respondents say they would be likely to recommend that a child aged 11 to 12 years old in their household or an adult in their family who is due for their 10-year booster get a Tdap vaccine. And 80% indicated that they think the Tdap vaccine is effective at offering protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, although 15% were unsure.
WHOOPING COUGH PERTUSSIS VACCINATION CDC PUBLIC HEALTH
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