Vaccination materials are seen on a tray at the Marquette County Health Department. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — With measles cases on the rise nationally and in Michigan, public health leaders and physicians are urging families to ensure their children–especially infants–are up to date on routine vaccinations, experts say.

In 2024, Michigan reported 2,081 cases of pertussis, a 19-fold increase from 2023 and the third consecutive annual rise. So far in 2025, the state has already reported nearly 700 pertussis (whooping cough) cases, including 112 in infants under age 2–the age group most at risk for severe complications. Michigan has also confirmed its first measles outbreak since 2019, with nine cases statewide in 2025, including four in Montcalm County.

In Marquette County, the Marquette County Health Department reports no measles cases in the past five years. Whooping cough is another matter.

Although there were no cases in the years 2020-22, things started to change at that point. In 2023, two cases of whooping cough were reported, followed by 37 in 2024. To date in 2025, 24 cases have been reported.

“These numbers are alarming, and this resurgence is preventable,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the state of Michigan. “Diseases like measles and pertussis are highly contagious and potentially deadly, especially for infants and young children. We have safe, effective vaccines that protect against these illnesses – vaccines that have been available for decades. Let’s use all the tools at our disposal to protect our most vulnerable.”

Vaccination rates for young children in Michigan have declined over the past decade. As of March 2025:

≤ Only 71.5% of Michigan children ages 19 to 35 months had received four or more DTaP doses.

≤ MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine coverage for this age group was 79.4%.

≤ Only 68.4% of young children in Michigan have received all the vaccines recommended to protect them from 14 serious diseases by the time they’re 2 years old.

Pertussis often begins with mild cold-like symptoms but progresses to severe coughing fits that can last for weeks. More than half of infants who get pertussis need to be hospitalized, and complications can include pneumonia, brain damage and death.

“Vaccination is not simply a personal choice — it is a public health responsibility that protects the entire community, particularly those at highest risk for serious health consequences,” said Dr. Rachel Klamo, a family physician and president of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians. “We encounter vaccine-preventable illnesses daily and are seeing cases of once-rare diseases, such as measles, the consequences of which can be life-long and devastating. For physicians, this is heartbreaking because it is preventable.”

Measles, which had largely been eliminated in the United States thanks to vaccination, is making a dangerous comeback. As of April 17, 2025, the CDC reported 800 confirmed measles cases across 25 states, including eight cases in Michigan. Nationally, 96% of those infected were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, and 31% of cases were in children under 5.

The MMR vaccine, recommended starting at age 1, offers long-lasting protection against measles. Michigan’s recent outbreak was linked to a large, ongoing outbreak in Ontario, Canada.

“Parents deserve accurate, science-based information about vaccines,” said Veronica Valentine McNally, president of the Franny Strong Foundation and founder of the I Vaccinate campaign. “When families are informed, they choose to protect their children. That’s why we created IVaccinate.org–to empower Michigan parents with the facts they need to make confident decisions.”

The IVaccinate campaign is a nationally recognized joint initiative of the Franny Strong Foundation and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), supported by the CDC and every major health and medical organization in the state.