Article Summary –
Public health officials in Michigan are urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, as measles and whooping cough cases have significantly increased in the state and nationwide, with Michigan confirming its first measles outbreak since 2019. The rise in cases is linked to declining vaccination rates since 2020, with only 71.5% of children receiving the whooping cough vaccine and about 79% receiving the MMR vaccine, both below the CDC’s recommended 95% for herd immunity. Despite misinformation from some federal officials, Michigan health professionals emphasize that vaccines are safe and effective, encouraging parents to consult with healthcare providers to keep their children protected.
As families plan summer vacations, Michigan public health officials urge parents to verify children’s vaccination status due to rising measles and whooping cough cases nationwide.
By April 24, 2025, the CDC confirmed 884 measles cases across 30 states, including nine in Michigan, marking the first outbreak in Montcalm County since 2019.
Michigan has reported nearly 500 whooping cough cases in 2025. In 2024, there were 2,081 cases, significantly higher than the previous year, marking the third consecutive annual increase.
“These diseases pose serious risks, especially to infants too young for complete vaccination. It’s crucial for parents to ensure their children are protected before summer travel,” stated Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive.
Measles and whooping cough, highly contagious yet preventable with vaccines, saw a resurgence partly due to declining vaccination rates since 2020.
In 2025, 97% of measles cases involved unvaccinated individuals or unknown vaccination status, with 31% affecting children under five.
As of March 2025, only 71.5% of Michigan children aged 19-35 months received four or more whooping cough vaccine doses. The MMR vaccine, covering measles, mumps, and rubella, was administered to about 79% of kids in this group.
These figures fall short of the 95% guideline for herd immunity, essential to protect those who can’t be vaccinated, such as infants. To check local vaccination rates, visit the county immunization tracker.
Despite misinformation from federal officials like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who falsely claimed the measles vaccine is unsafe and ineffective, Michigan health experts urge parents to trust proven scientific data and consult healthcare providers for queries.
Dr. Rachel Klamo, family physician and president of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, emphasized educating vaccine-hesitant parents about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Klamo noted an increase in parents bringing children for vaccinations since the outbreaks, saying, “We are happy to get them back.”
Measles and whooping cough symptoms mimic a cold but can lead to severe complications like pneumonia and brain swelling.
Veronica McNally, who lost her daughter to whooping cough, now advocates for vaccines through the Franny Strong Foundation and I Vaccinate campaign.
She advises parents to consult healthcare providers about missing vaccinations and encourages discussing this with fellow parents.
“Understanding the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases and the tragedy of losing a child, I aim to prevent similar suffering for other families,” McNally shared.
Parents can access their child’s immunization record through their physician or the Michigan Immunization Portal.
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