Public Media funding is under threat. You can help! Join WEKU's 1850 campaign for the future! 1,850 new supporters, each giving $10 monthly to keep WEKU strong. We are down to 1529 to go! Donate today!
Two Kentucky infants die from whooping cough; victims unvaccinated
By John McGary
June 9, 2025 at 3:28 PM EDT
State health officials say two infants have died from whooping coughs in the last six months – the first deaths from that disease since 2018. According to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, neither the infants nor their mothers had received the recommended immunizations. Cassie Prather, Woodford County Public Health Director and a mom, said she’s shocked and saddened by the news.
“These kind of things are preventable at this point, and so just disappointment, I guess, too, and where we are back to as far as vaccine hesitancy and all that.”
Prather said the vaccine for the disease, also known as pertussis, is one of the safest and most effective in history.
“Our first level of protection is to vaccinate ourselves so we can protect ourselves and we won't pass it on to others. And with pertussis, it is one of the most infectious diseases out there.”
Prather said exhalations from whooping cough patients remain in the air for several hours and recommends people with questions about the vaccine talk to their doctor.
“These kind of things are preventable at this point, and so just disappointment, I guess, too, and where we are back to as far as vaccine hesitancy and all that.”
Prather said the vaccine for the disease, also known as pertussis, is one of the safest and most effective in history.
“Our first level of protection is to vaccinate ourselves so we can protect ourselves and we won't pass it on to others. And with pertussis, it is one of the most infectious diseases out there.”
Prather said exhalations from whooping cough patients remain in the air for several hours and recommends people with questions about the vaccine talk to their doctor.