Whooping cough has always lurked in the background, with epidemics expected every three to four years.
Also called pertussis, it is making headlines again in Australia, not for good reasons. If you thought this old-fashioned childhood illness was a thing of the past, think again.
In 2024, Australia saw 57,000 cases, the highest since 1991. The numbers are still climbing in 2025, with more than 14,000 cases already recorded.
Some regions, like Queensland and Western Australia’s Kimberley, are being hit especially hard.
But this current wave is bigger than usual and is not just an Australian problem. The United States is also experiencing its highest rates since 1948, with tragic deaths reported, including among infants.
Several factors are fuelling this resurgence. The pandemic didn’t just disrupt our social lives and interrupt routine childhood vaccinations, but also reduced our natural exposure to many diseases.
Community immunity has dropped with fewer people catching and recovering from whooping cough during lockdowns.
Distrust in vaccines has also crept up, leading to a slow but steady decline in vaccination rates.
Australia’s coverage is still relatively high, but it’s slipped below the national target of 95 per cent. Even a small drop can significantly impact the situation, especially with such a contagious disease.
Unlike some vaccines that offer lifelong protection, the whooping cough vaccine’s effectiveness fades over time. That means even those vaccinated as children may be vulnerable as adults unless they get booster shots.
While whooping cough is often thought of as a childhood illness, the reality is more complex:
- Babies under six weeks: These little ones are too young to be vaccinated and are at the highest risk of severe complications, including pneumonia, seizures, brain inflammation, and, tragically, death.
- Infants under six months: Even after their first shots, babies in this age group are more likely to need hospital care if they catch whooping cough.
- Older children and adults: Surprisingly, more than 70 per cent of recent cases have been in people aged 10 and up. It’s a stubborn, nagging cough for many, but they can still spread the infection to vulnerable babies.
Can you get whooping cough if you’re vaccinated?
Yes, but the vaccine still matters. Babies get their first doses at six weeks, four months, and six months, which offers strong protection against severe illness.
However, without booster shots at 18 months and four years, immunity drops to less than 50 per cent by age four.
Adults, especially those caring for young children, should get a booster every ten years. This is especially important for healthcare workers, early childhood educators, and anyone who might be around newborns.
One of the best ways to protect newborns is for pregnant women to get vaccinated during their second trimester. This passes protective antibodies to the baby before birth.
If one misses out during pregnancy, get vaccinated immediately after delivery, which won’t protect the baby directly. Still, it will reduce your risk of catching and spreading the disease.
How contagious is whooping cough?
In a word: extremely. Whooping cough is up to ten times more contagious than the flu. Even if you’re vaccinated, you can still catch and spread it, though your symptoms will likely be milder.
Siblings, not parents, are often the source of infection for babies, highlighting the importance of keeping everyone’s vaccinations up to date.
Early whooping cough can look like a run-of-the-mill cold: runny nose, mild fever, and a persistent cough.
But after about a week, the cough can become severe, coming in long fits that may end with a distinctive ‘whoop’ as the person gasps for air.
Very young babies may have no whoop; instead, they might briefly stop breathing or turn blue.
In teens and adults, the only symptom may be a relentless cough that just won’t quit (sometimes called the ‘100-day cough’).
If you have whooping cough, you’re infectious for up to three weeks after symptoms start, unless you’re treated with antibiotics, which can shorten this to five days.
During this time, staying home from work, school, or childcare is crucial to protect others.
Whooping cough is back, and it’s not just a problem for kids. With immunity waning and vaccination rates slipping, staying vigilant is more critical than ever.
A quick check of your vaccination status and a timely booster could make all the difference for you and your loved ones.
Have you or someone you know been affected by whooping cough? Are you up to date with your boosters? Share your experiences, questions, or tips in the comments below. Your story could help others stay safe!
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