BATON ROUGE, La. — Senator Bill Cassidy is urging Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to advocate for increased vaccination rates against whooping cough, as the nation faces a concerning uptick in cases. Cassidy, who serves as the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, expressed his concerns in a letter posted on social media.
In his correspondence, Cassidy emphasized the importance of Kennedy’s endorsement in promoting the vaccination among vulnerable populations. He asserted that strong public backing from the secretary could be instrumental in combating the spread of pertussis, a disease that poses significant risks to infants.
“I want to work together to stop pertussis,” Cassidy wrote. “Your support for this vaccine will save lives and is crucial in protecting the health of the American people.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a continued rise in pertussis cases, with the number hitting approximately 19,000 nationwide in 2023 alone. Specifically, Washington state has reported the highest incidence, nearing 1,800 cases, with Oregon, California, and Florida each nearing 1,200 cases as well.
In Louisiana, where Cassidy is particularly focused, there have been 386 cases in 2023, leading to 63 hospitalizations and two infant fatalities. Alarmingly, nearly two-thirds of those affected are infants, most under one year of age. Cassidy highlighted that 75% of hospitalized patients in the state were either unvaccinated or behind on their vaccinations.
Pertussis often begins with cold-like symptoms but can progress to severe coughing fits that can endanger a child’s ability to breathe. Cassidy has pointed to Kennedy’s earlier response to the measles outbreak in West Texas as a precedent for how public health officials should address the current situation. In that instance, Kennedy called for higher vaccination rates following an outbreak that led to multiple infections and fatalities among children in an undervaccinated community.
Despite being a known critic of some vaccines, Kennedy endorsed the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in response to that outbreak, a move that Cassidy believes significantly aided in controlling the spread. He hopes that a similar response regarding the DTaP vaccine could mobilize families across the country to ensure that no child succumbs to a preventable disease.
According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, vaccination rates for infants against whooping cough remain alarmingly low, with only 80.4% of children under two receiving the requisite doses of the DTaP vaccine. This figure falls significantly below the vaccination rate for measles, which stands at around 91%.
Kennedy has recently faced scrutiny due to his controversial stance on vaccines, including his withdrawal of U.S. funding from the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, claiming that the organization neglected crucial safety concerns. While he has historically been vocal against the measles vaccine, he has shown less criticism towards the DTaP vaccine, although he has not supported it ardently either.
As the CDC prepares for an upcoming meeting of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, questions remain about Kennedy’s approach to public health and vaccinations, especially as critics argue that his positions undermine efforts to boost vaccine accessibility and acceptance. Cassidy’s outreach to the health secretary signals an urgent call to action as the nation confronts a growing public health challenge.