# Measles and Whooping Cough Surge as Vaccination Rates Drop
Measles and pertussis (whooping cough) cases are climbing across the country, and doctors point to declining vaccination rates as the primary cause. Medical professionals warn that vaccine hesitancy threatens the herd immunity threshold needed to protect vulnerable populations who cannot receive vaccines.
The CDC tracks these outbreaks closely. Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus, requires 95 percent vaccination coverage in communities to prevent spread. Pertussis, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, spreads through respiratory droplets and can be especially dangerous for infants under six months old, who cannot yet receive full protection through the standard vaccination schedule.
Doctors stress that both diseases carry serious risks. Measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, and in rare cases, death. Whooping cough earned its name from the distinctive sound infected people make when gasping for air between coughs. Infants hospitalized with pertussis often require intensive care.
The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) provides strong protection against measles after two doses. The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis starting in infancy, with boosters recommended throughout childhood. Tdap boosters for adolescents and adults maintain immunity.
Vaccination rates have fallen in pockets across the nation, driven by misinformation, religious beliefs, and personal choice exemptions in some states. This creates vulnerable communities where diseases once nearly eradicated can resurface and spread rapidly.
Parents who have questions about vaccine safety can speak with their pediatrician or visit the CDC website for evidence-based information. Medical experts emphasize that vaccination protects not just individual children but also newborns, immunocompromised family members,