Pertussis Resurgence: Vaccination Remains the Best Shield

Pertussis (whooping cough) is resurging nationwide and in California, with infant cases up by 54% in the first three quarters of 2025. The illness progresses in three phases and can cause severe complications, especially in babies under six months. Vaccination—DTaP in early childhood, TDap boosters for teens and adults, and vaccination during pregnancy—remains the safest, most effective defense and is key to achieving herd immunity. Antibiotics help reduce contagiousness when given early but don’t reliably shorten illness if started late. California’s AB 144 ensures the pediatric vaccine schedule remains in place.