Tetanus toxoid reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed(GlaxoSmithKline Plc)

THURSDAY, Nov. 20, 2025 — Whooping cough is making a major comeback in the United States, with sharp increases now seen in Texas, Florida, California, Oregon and many other places. Health officials say the latest rise in pertussis cases is being driven by falling vaccination rates, waning immunity and slower public health tracking systems. What's more, officials say, is that babies remain the most vulnerable. "Pertussis cases increase in a cyclical fashion driven by waning immunity," Dr. Demetre Daskalakis , former head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) immunization program, told CBS News . "But the size of the outbreak and the potential for severe outcomes in children who cannot be vaccinated can be mitigated by high coverage and good communication to folks at risk," he added. Before a vaccine was introduced in the early 1900s, whooping cough was one of the leading causes of childhood death in the United States. Today, routine vaccination starts at 2 months old and continues through adulthood with booster shots. But the pandemic brought a drop in vaccine uptake and nonmedical exemptions in some states have widened immunity gaps. Texas illustrates how quickly case numbers have grown. The state reported 1,928 cases in 2024. By October 2025, that number had already climbed past 3,500. National trends are just as shocking. In the first three months of 2025, the United States counted 6,600 pertussis cases, four times last year’s pace and 25 times the pace in 2023. Outbreaks in places like Louisiana, South Dakota and Idaho show the problem is not limited to just one region of the country. Texas recently made it easier for parents to claim exemptions by letting them download forms online, and Dallas County Health Director Dr. Phil Huang said he has already seen a drop in families coming in for routine shots. He also worries that some families, especially in Dallas County’s 40% Hispanic population, may be avoiding vaccinations because of immigration enforcement concerns. Another issue is that protection from the current “acellular” pertussis vaccine wears off over time, leaving many adults without strong immunity. This makes it easier for adults to unknowingly spread the illness to infants. Babies face the highest risk: about 1 in 5 infants with pertussis develop pneumonia , and about 1% die from the infection, according to the CDC. The CDC stresses that pregnant women should get a Tdap vaccine during every pregnancy so their newborns receive antibodies before birth. More cases are also being found because clinics now use modern PCR testing that checks for several respiratory infections at once, including pertussis. Even so, the number of infant hospitalizations shows that true transmission is increasing. Doctors usually treat pertussis with macrolide antibiotics, but resistant strains have been rising in other countries such as China and Peru, reports CBS News . Resistant cases remain rare in the United States, although officials caution that international travel could change that. Health experts say the best strategy now is early detection and vaccination. Clinicians are being urged to consider pertussis whenever a patient has a persistent cough, especially if the patient is an infant or a caregiver of a baby. Families are also encouraged to make sure children, teens and adults are up to date on their vaccines and to keep sick visitors away from newborns. Sources CBS News, Nov. 19, 2025

CHICAGO, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American Lung Association launched a campaign to educate individuals about the importance of immunizations to protect against respiratory diseases. Vaccines are the best tool to help protect people from severe illness, hospitalization and even death from several illnesses, including influenza (flu); COVID-19; pneumococcal pneumonia; pertussis (whopping cough); and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially for individuals at high risk for health complications. Millions of people in the United States get sick from respiratory illnesses each year, with some seasonal virus cases typically peaking from October through March. During the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season, it is estimated that there were up to 82 million cases of the flu alone, resulting in up to 37 million medical visits, up to 1.3 million hospitalizations, and between 127,000 and 130,000 deaths, according to Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) preliminary estimates. During the 2023-2024 respiratory season, the CDC reported that COVID-19 vaccination prevented 68,000 hospitalizations, 13,000 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and 5,300 in-hospital deaths. "Immunization is especially important for older adults and individuals with certain health conditions who are at increased risk of severe illness, complications and hospitalization from these vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases," said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "Not getting vaccinated puts you, your family and your neighbors at risk for severe disease." Vaccines help prepare the body to defend itself from germs like viruses and bacteria. And immunity through vaccination is safer and often longer lasting than immunity you develop after you get sick (also known as "natural immunity") as you cannot predict the severity of illness and recovery needed from a disease. Older adults and individuals with certain health conditions are at increased risk of severe complications from respiratory diseases that are preventable through vaccination. An unvaccinated older adult faces a higher risk of hospitalization and even death from the flu, pneumococcal pneumonia, RSV or COVID-19. This is because, as people age, their immune system naturally weakens, making them more susceptible to infections. Also, older adults often have one or more underlying health conditions like asthma or other chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, etc., which further increases their risk. Respiratory infections can worsen existing chronic conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), leading to decreased quality of life and prolonged recovery times. The Lung Association's new campaign is raising awareness on the importance of these five vaccinations to help protect adults against severe respiratory illness: Influenza(flu): Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, ideally in September/October though vaccination can continue throughout the season as the flu virus circulates. COVID-19: COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone six months and older with shared clinical decision-making, which is a discussion between a patient or caregiver and their healthcare provider. RSV: Adults ages 50-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, and adults age 75 and older should receive a single vaccine if they have not received one previously; additional doses are not recommended. Pertussis (whooping cough): Tdap is a combination vaccine that provides protection against pertussis and is recommended for all adults. A Tdap vaccine can be given at any time of the year and is especially important for adults living with asthma or COPD, who are at higher risk for complications. Pneumococcal pneumonia: Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for adults age 19-49 with certain chronic health conditions or risk factors and all adults age 50 and older. Pregnant women and individuals who are immunocompromised often have additional vaccination recommendations and should consult their healthcare provider to be sure they are up to date on their recommended vaccinations. Often, multiple vaccines can be administered in a single healthcare provider visit; ask your healthcare provider about what vaccines are recommended for you. For more information, contact the Lung Association's HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA. To learn more about vaccines, visit Lung.org/vaccines. Support for this new campaign was provided by Sanofi. About the American Lung Association The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events or donate today at Lung.org/donate. CONTACT: Jill Dale | American Lung Association P: 312-940-7001 M: 720-438-8289E: [email protected] SOURCE American Lung Association WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED