Russia has seen a sharp rise in whooping cough cases through 2023. In October alone, there were seven thousand two hundred and fifty reported infections, a figure that is about seventeen times higher than the same month last year. Rosstat’s annual statistical report shows that the first ten months of the year recorded roughly twenty-seven thousand eight hundred infections, nearly nine times the total for 2022. Health experts cited in media interviews point to insufficient vaccination in recent years as a major driver of this surge and emphasize the importance of building immunity through vaccination campaigns.
Historical data show that Russia reported about three thousand one hundred cases in 2022 and around one thousand one hundred in 2021. Over the past six years, the highest annual tally was in 2019 with approximately fourteen thousand four hundred cases. These patterns illustrate how changes in vaccination coverage can influence the annual burden of disease.
Rosstat data for 2015 to 2020 indicate a yearly incidence range from five thousand four hundred to fourteen thousand four hundred cases. In 2023, the incidence rose quickly and has continued to climb each month. Early in the year, January saw about four hundred cases, and by June the count exceeded two thousand. Regional outbreaks have occurred, underscoring uneven transmission dynamics across different parts of the country. For example, in November 2023 the Samara region reported two hundred eight cases, a notable rise from the single digits seen the previous year.
Public health authorities note that pandemic measures related to Covid-19 helped suppress both whooping cough and measles. As restrictions eased, similar increases in these diseases appeared in several countries, including Russia. Rospotrebnadzor continues to promote vaccination and public awareness, stressing that the overall situation for whooping cough and measles remains under control while remaining vigilant against new outbreaks.
Healthcare professionals describe the main symptom of whooping cough as a paroxysmal barking cough that can persist for an extended period. Timely vaccination remains the strongest defense against severe illness, especially for young children and vulnerable populations. Public health discussions emphasize validating immunity through routine immunizations and staying up to date with recommended vaccines to reduce transmission and protect community health.
In related discussions, some past statements about vaccines have circulated in public discourse. Modern medical guidance stresses that vaccines are evaluated for safety and efficacy based on extensive research and regulatory oversight. Continuous scientific updates help families make informed decisions about vaccination as a core component of preventive healthcare.