Whooping cough (pertussis) cases 5x higher this year than last!
A combo of factors:
* normal cyclical swings in infexns
* pandemic changes in behavior (masking, distancing), now w/ rebound in cases - although we’re seeing decreases in RSV this year so I’m skeptical
* decreased vaxx rates
🧪🩺🛟
A combo of factors:
* normal cyclical swings in infexns
* pandemic changes in behavior (masking, distancing), now w/ rebound in cases - although we’re seeing decreases in RSV this year so I’m skeptical
* decreased vaxx rates
🧪🩺🛟
Comments
The pertussis case definition was also updated and our epis suspect that is elevating some of the case count.
Another factor could be overall reduced immune function given people have had 1+ rounds of COVID.
Basically hard to explain why lower RSV unless you assume many have temporary resistance since it's been high the last couple of years + year to year variation.
You do not want whooping cough. Believe me.
I do NOT think this is due to our behavior during the pandemic. Immunity debt is bs, and if it were d/t delayed infexn, we would have seen it in 2022 or 2023.
I think it is largely due to decreased vaxx rates + the normal cyclical trends, now enhanced because of low vaccination rates.
https://wonder.cdc.gov/nndss/static/2024/50/2024-50-table990.html
We should all get boosted every 10 yrs - for pertussis but also tetanus & diphtheria!
And it’s even more important if pregnant 🤰🏽
https://www.cdc.gov/adultvaxview/publications-resources/adult-vaccination-coverage-2022.html
(Unfortunately vaccines are not profitable so there’s not much incentive for companies to invest in creating new ones.)