
04/07/2025
Two infants in Louisiana recently died of pertussis (also known as whooping cough), as cases continue to rise. According to CDC data, reported cases increased to 35,435 in 2024, up from 7,063 in 2023. Pertussis is a highly contagious infection of the lungs that can cause serious health complications in small children. Vaccination is the best way to prevent it with the DTaP vaccine given at 2 months of age with subsequent doses at 4 months and 6 months, and boosters at 15-18 months and 4-6 years. People in close contact with infants younger than 1 year should get a booster, and pregnant people should get the vaccine during the third trimester. Learn more in AAP News: https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/31750