Michigan public health leaders are urging families to ensure they are up to date on all immunizations to protect against outbreaks of serious communicable diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough), RSV, COVID-19 and the flu. Michigan is facing a significant increase in pertussis cases, with the highest numbers in more than a decade. This surge is especially concerning amidst a busy respiratory virus season, posing risks to vulnerable populations like infants and unvaccinated individuals.
As of Dec. 8, the current count of 1,530 cases of pertussis in Michigan is more than 2.5 times the yearly average (596 cases) from 2017 to 2019. Over half of the cases (826) occurred in school-aged children 5 to 17 years old, and 66% of cases involved individuals who were either unvaccinated or their most recent vaccine was 5 years ago or more, according to the Michigan Disease Surveillance System.
Vaccination coverage for pertussis is down 3% from January 2020, with only 73.3% of children ages 19-35 months having received the recommended four doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine as of October 2024. School waivers for the DTaP/Tdap vaccine series have nearly doubled over that same period, growing from 3.2% of Michigan kindergarten students with a waiver in 2020 to 6.2% in 2023.
“As Michigan faces a record number of pertussis cases, it’s more important than ever for parents, caregivers and communities to prioritize vaccination,” said Ryan Malosh, director of the Division of Immunization with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “Whooping cough is a serious, preventable disease that can have devastating effects, especially on babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated. By staying up to date on immunizations, including booster shots for teens and adults, we can protect our loved ones and prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease. Immunization is not just an individual responsibility — it’s a critical step in safeguarding public health.”
Pertussis often starts with mild cold-like symptoms but progresses to severe coughing fits that can last for weeks or months. Commonly called whooping cough, pertussis is known for the “whoop” noise when someone gasps for air after a coughing fit. It can take five to 10 days for symptoms to appear after exposure and sometimes longer. Babies and young children may not cough, but they may have pauses in their breathing (called apnea), which can make their skin look bluish or cause shortness of breath. Later symptoms can include uncontrolled coughing fits.
Pertussis is most dangerous for infants under one year of age, as they are at higher risk for severe complications like pneumonia, brain damage and even death. Over half of infants who contract pertussis require hospitalization.
Franny Strong Foundation president and I Vaccinate campaign founder Veronica McNally knows better than most parents about the dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2012, Veronica and her husband Sean lost their 3-month-old daughter Francesca to pertussis.
“As parents, we want to do everything in our power to keep our children safe,” said McNally, who was previously the consumer representative on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. “Being informed with credible information and current data is an important first step. Talk to your pediatrician, visit your local health department and explore resources like IVaccinate.org, which provides parents with information and tools based on medical science and research to help them make informed decisions about vaccines and protect their kids.”
The CDC recommends the pertussis vaccine for infants, children, adolescents and people who are pregnant. It also recommends a dose for adults who haven’t received a dose as adolescents or adults.
The CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also recommend the COVID-19 vaccine and an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as part of the recommended childhood and adolescent vaccination schedules.