On Dec. 30, 2024, the Oregon Health Authority reported it had registered 1,105 cases of pertussis—also known as whooping cough—during 2024, making the need for people to stay up to date with their vaccinations all the more urgent. There were 44 outbreaks, although the majority of cases were sporadic individual or household-related cases and not associated with outbreaks.

The 2024 count represents the highest number of pertussis cases reported in Oregon in a single year since 1950, when 1,420 cases were reported. Since 2003, eight Oregonians with pertussis have died. Five were younger than 4 months old, and there have been three deaths in adults – one in 2023 and two in 2024. Since 2003, eight Oregonians with pertussis have died. Five were younger than 4 months old, and there have been three deaths in adults – one in 2023 and two in 2024.

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can be serious and even deadly for infants and young children. Vaccination against pertussis is routinely recommended for infants, children, adolescents and adults. Children should receive the DTaP vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis at 2, 4, 6 and 15 to 18 months old, and again at age 4 to kindergarten age. All persons 10 years old and older should receive a single dose of Tdap.