Not Just Measles: Anti-Vaxxers Have Produced 3 Infant Deaths From Pertussis

from the big-whoop dept

In all of our conversations surrounding RFK Jr.’s appointment to lead HHS and the legitimization of his anti-vaxxer beliefs as a result, we have understandably been hyper-focused on measles. The reason for that is mostly that this is as stark an example of just how stupid and horrible anti-vaccination misinformation is combined with the horror that is measles infections. This disease was essentially gone as of the year 2,000, but it has come roaring back due to unvaccinated populations being slammed by major outbreaks this year. Three people have died and thousands have been needlessly infected with measles all because Kennedy, and people like him, want to play pretend with medicine and science.

But it isn’t just measles. Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, has also been on the increase over the past few years. While the data on who is getting infected is much more varied with pertussis, due primarily to the vaccine’s waning protections for it over time compared with measles vaccines, it’s still the case that the unvaccinated account for a heavy number of the infected and the deaths that have resulted from it. Kentucky appears to be getting hit particularly hard by pertussis, with the state tallying three infant deaths from the disease so far this year.

Kentucky’s three infant deaths from whooping cough over the past 12 months are the state’s first reported since 2018. None of the infants or their mothers had been vaccinated against the respiratory disease, the Kentucky Department of Public Health confirmed.

Kentucky is in the midst of its largest pertussis spike since 2012, says a Monday state news release that says the disease has increased nationwide as vaccination rates decline.

As of Nov. 19, there have been 566 cases of whooping cough identified in Kentucky, with health officials anticipating more cases as the year ends. Babies younger than 1 year old are at the greatest risk for whooping cough. 

Local healthcare providers are advocating for the public to get themselves and their children vaccinated to prevent the spread of the disease, but Kentucky has a fairly terrible adoption of the pertussis vaccine. School-aged children in the state currently have a vaccination rate of roughly 85%. That may sound like a big number, but you’re typically looking at a target of 95% vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity. It’s herd immunity that best protects those most vulnerable, such as very young children and those who cannot get vaccinated for unrelated medical reasons.

And that is precisely who is dying in Kentucky from pertussis. Infants. Infants are dying, all so that Kennedy and the vaccine-deniers out there can sit on their stupid soap boxes and spew stupid.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of another infant death in Kentucky due to pertussis and are concerned by the volume of cases we are seeing throughout the commonwealth,” said Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. “We continue to urge Kentuckians to get their whooping cough vaccine and to make sure they are up to date on all other recommended immunizations. Many illnesses can be prevented through vaccination, which helps protect not only the individual but also those around them.”  

Unfortunately, the very person in charge of American health at the moment is not urging anyone to get vaccinated. Quite the opposite, in fact. And it all appears to be largely ego-driven.

Ego in favor of infants remaining alive. If that doesn’t turn your stomach, you have no soul.

Filed Under: cdc, health and human services, kentucky, pertussis, rfk jr., whooping cough