Two unvaccinated infants have died from pertussis—commonly known as whooping cough—in Kentucky over the last six months, marking the state’s first such deaths since 2018, the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced Friday. The babies’ mothers were also unvaccinated.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can be deadly, especially for infants. Symptoms include severe coughing, fever, vomiting, and in infants, apnea and cyanosis. The CDC stresses the importance of maternal vaccination during pregnancy and timely infant immunization starting at 2 months.
“Infants are at greatest risk for life-threatening illness,” said Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner. “Vaccinating pregnant women can protect both mother and baby.”
Kentucky has reported 247 cases of whooping cough in 2025 so far. The state recorded 543 cases in 2024—the most since 2012—and officials expect cases to rise through summer and fall.
Vaccines such as DTaP (for children) and Tdap (for preteens) are available. Parents are encouraged to consult their healthcare providers about vaccinations to protect their children.
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