There are countless secrets lurking behind the polished promises of the government and the medical establishment—things they’d rather you not question. What they tell you isn’t what’s taking place behind the curtain. Mistakes are quietly swept away, experiments proceed without public consent, and the truth is buried under a web of carefully crafted narratives and simplistic platitudes like “safe and effective.” What you don’t know can hurt you.
Here are nine things you probably don’t know about whooping cough and the whooping cough vaccine—and what the authorities may not want you to find out.
Helpful terms:
· Pertussis: Whooping Cough
· DTwP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whole-cell Pertussis vaccine
· DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis vaccine
· Tdap: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis vaccine administered to adolescents and adults
1. Nearly 100% Decrease in Death Rate Prior to Vaccination
Records from England and Wales dating back to 1838 show that fatalities due to whooping cough and various infectious diseases were close to non-existent before the introduction of vaccines and antibiotics. Specifically regarding whooping cough, this decline approached 100% before the launch of the DTP vaccine in 1957. In 1977, researcher Gordon T. Stewart noted that there was no indication linking the decrease in cases to the whooping cough vaccination.
From 1937 onwards, a consistent decrease was observed in both genders. The introduction of vaccination against whooping cough started in limited areas around 1948 and expanded nationally in 1957, yet it appears to have had no impact on the decline rate, assuming that a single infection typically grants immunity, similar to many significant childhood infectious diseases. Given that this trend was already firmly in place prior to 1957, there is no indication that vaccination significantly contributed to the reductions in incidence and mortality.
2. Sweden Paused Vaccination; Mortality Rates Remained Steady
Evaluations conducted in Sweden in 1978 revealed that 84% of children diagnosed with pertussis had already received three doses of the vaccine. Consequently, the whole-cell DTP vaccine was considered ineffective. Due to safety concerns surrounding the vaccine, the Swedish health ministry advised halting the whooping cough vaccination in 1979.
In 1978, the National Bacteriological Laboratory in Stockholm documented 5,140 confirmed cases of pertussis. An analysis of a subset revealed that among 620 children aged 1 to 6 years diagnosed with the illness, 521 (84%) had undergone three doses of the pertussis vaccination. Further inquiries indicated that 84% of the 38,015 preschool children born in Sweden between 1974 and 1978 had also received three doses of the pertussis vaccine. Due to the apparent lack of protective efficacy from the Swedish-produced vaccine, immunizations were halted in 1979.
By that time, confidence in the vaccine had significantly eroded, leading to a decrease in its potency until it was ultimately discontinued in 1979 on the basis of ineffectiveness and potential safety concerns. Presently, the incidence of pertussis in Sweden is beginning to revert to levels seen before the immunization period, although cases of the clinical disease are reported to be mild.
A correspondence from Victoria Romanus at the Swedish Institute of Infectious Disease Control reveals that the incidence of fatalities due to whooping cough has remained very low, even in the absence of a nationwide vaccination initiative. Between 1981 and 1993, only 8 child fatalities were attributed to pertussis, resulting in an annual average of approximately 0.6 deaths potentially caused by the disease. The likelihood of succumbing to pertussis in Sweden was about 1 in 13,000,000, even without a national vaccination strategy.
Historical data illustrated in graphs from the 1860s until the initiation of whooping cough vaccinations in 1953 shows that mortality rates from pertussis in Sweden dropped by over 98 percent. During the 17-year period without the pertussis vaccination program from 1979 to 1996, Sweden recorded 7 deaths due to pertussis, compared to 10 fatalities in the preceding 17 years and 9 deaths in the subsequent 17 years after the program resumed. The implementation of pertussis vaccination initiatives did not yield a significant impact on deaths associated with pertussis in Sweden.
3. Decline in Vaccination Rates in England, No Rise in Deaths
An extensive review of the comprehensive official statistics reveals a clear and significant decrease in fatalities from whooping cough from 1902 to 2008. Official records of DTP vaccine coverage in England began in 1970. However, by 1957, when national vaccination efforts were initiated, deaths due to whooping cough had nearly disappeared. In a 1984 publication, the authors observed that even though vaccination rates in England saw a substantial drop from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, the death toll remained stable without any increase.
The whooping cough epidemic that occurred in England during 1974-5 impacted a demographic where 80% of children were vaccinated against pertussis. At that period, concerns regarding the whooping cough vaccine led to a significant decline in immunisation rates, resulting in a substantial rise in reported cases. Nonetheless, the death toll has remained stable, and it has been proposed that the severity of the disease might now be reduced.
A research study released in 1984 found that hospitalizations and fatalities from whooping cough had decreased despite a drop in vaccination rates. This outcome contradicted expectations; if the vaccine effectively prevented severe illness, one would anticipate an increase in cases with fewer vaccinations.
Following the reduction in pertussis vaccination, there has been an unforeseen decline in both whooping cough admissions and mortality rates, impacting children of various ages and vaccination statuses alike.
4. The Severity of Whooping Cough Has Diminished
Parents often experience anxiety regarding whooping cough, picturing their children in distress due to severe coughing fits. Nevertheless, in 1981, Gordon T. Stewart characterized whooping cough as "typically mild... with most children managing to recover or resist it easily even in the absence of vaccination." Similarly, Douglas Jenkinson conducted a study in 1995 involving 500 instances of natural whooping cough, where he found that parents seldom recognized the distinct cough, leading him to the conclusion that “serious consequences are improbable.”
The majority of whooping cough instances are fairly mild. These cases can be challenging to identify without a strong level of suspicion since healthcare providers are not likely to detect the typical cough, which might be the sole indicator. Parents can be comforted by the fact that severe outcomes are improbable. Adults can also contract whooping cough, frequently catching it from their children, and exhibit symptoms similar to those of kids.
5. The Prevalence of Whooping Cough Bacteria
Estimates suggest that approximately one-third of adults and adolescents suffering from a persistent cough may be infected with B. pertussis. This holds true even for individuals who have received vaccinations or experienced the disease naturally.
It is crucial to highlight that all 13 investigations concerning prolonged cough in adolescents and adults have uncovered signs of B. pertussis infection. These research studies span six nations and cover seven regions in the United States over a 16-year timeframe, indicating that B. pertussis infection is commonplace among adolescents and adults.
Although whooping cough has historically been perceived as a childhood ailment, its presence in adults was well-documented nearly a hundred years ago, and it is now acknowledged as a significant contributor to respiratory illnesses in both adolescents and adults, including older adults. Due to diminishing immunity, pertussis can manifest in adolescents and adults even with a full history of vaccination or prior infection. Research conducted in Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, and the United States reveals that 12 to 32% of adults and adolescents with a cough lasting a week or longer are infected with Bordetella pertussis.
Sadly, the widespread belief that vaccination has effectively eliminated whooping cough often leads to a failure in accurate diagnosis, which skews the reported incidence rates.
The diagnosis of pertussis is often overlooked, primarily due to the misconception that whooping cough is strictly a children's disease, effectively managed through standard childhood vaccinations, along with the false assumption that immunity gained through disease or vaccination is permanent.
6. Neurological Damage Caused by Vaccines
For decades, the issue of potential neurological harm linked to vaccinations has been a contentious topic.
As early as the 1940s, research findings began to propose that vaccines could lead to serious neurological disorders, commonly referred to as vaccine encephalopathy.
A 1948 publication in Pediatrics examined cases of brain injury following vaccination. The article bears a striking resemblance to the surge of autism cases that would emerge in the following decades. The affected children, primarily boys, had shown normal development before vaccination, yet exhibited “acute cerebral” symptoms within hours after receiving the shot. This was followed by a regression or a “halt in further development.”
An analysis of medical records from the Children’s Hospital over the last decade revealed 15 occurrences where children exhibited acute cerebral symptoms shortly after being given the pertussis vaccine. These children, aged between 5 and 18 months, appeared to be developing normally according to parental accounts. Prior to vaccination, none had experienced seizures. Of the affected children, twelve were boys and three were girls, reflecting a gender difference seen with other neurotoxic substances, like lead, known to severely harm developing nervous systems. At the time of vaccination, the ages of the children ranged from 5 to 18 months. Comprehensive developmental assessments were available for all but two children, whose mothers reported normal development. Historical records indicated that many of the children had achieved milestones such as sitting, walking, and talking before being vaccinated; post-vaccination regressions or developmental stagnations were noted in several cases. Based on available information, none of the children appeared to have any pre-existing deficiencies before their acute illnesses.
In 1977, Dr. Gordon Stewart cautioned that the risks associated with the vaccine outweighed the likelihood of contracting whooping cough.
Due to a national shortfall in both epidemiological data and public comprehension, quantifying the prevalence of pertussis reaction syndrome or subsequent brain damage and cognitive impairment is challenging. It is estimated that incidence rates could be no lower than 1 in 60,000, but might reach as high as 1 in 10,000, or potentially even more in its temporary form.
7. Decline of Whooping Cough Vaccine Efficacy Within Three Years
Research led by Dr. David Witt, who heads the infectious disease department at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Rafael, California, has revealed that the effectiveness of the pertussis vaccine diminishes within a mere three years. “The vaccine administered to infants and young children shows a significant reduction in its effectiveness after just three years—much sooner than what was previously believed by healthcare professionals... It was unsettling to recognize that perhaps we had more faith in the vaccine than it warranted,” stated Dr. Witt, the principal investigator. Furthermore, renowned expert in pertussis, Dr. James D. Cherry, also highlighted that findings regarding Tdap indicate no protection after just three years.
In the United States, three separate studies assessed the effectiveness of the Tdap vaccine. The results indicated effectiveness rates of 75.3%, 73.0%, and 68.8% during the first year. However, after three years, there was nearly no evidence supporting the vaccine's effectiveness.
Witt and his team made an alarming discovery: the greatest incidence of the disease was found among children aged 8 to 12 who had completed their vaccination schedule.
Astonishingly, the highest rates of disease were recorded in children aged 8 to 12 who had already been vaccinated... Moreover, in both the 2-7 and 8-12 age brackets, there was no significant difference in disease occurrence between those who were fully vaccinated and those who were either partially vaccinated or unvaccinated.
8. Whooping Cough is Now Affecting Teenagers and Adults
Prior to the introduction of the pertussis vaccine, extended natural immunity was quite common due to familial and community interactions. During the 1940s, pertussis was primarily regarded as a disease affecting only children, and it was surprising if an adolescent or adult contracted it. The accompanying diagram illustrates that clinical cases were largely confined to children, while ongoing familial relationships allowed those with natural immunity to maintain it through regular contact with infected younger family members.
In the period before vaccination, children constituted the bulk of pertussis cases. Adults who had experienced pertussis in their youth benefitted from ongoing boosts to their acquired immunity due to repeated exposures within the community, while mothers provided their infants with immunity through the transfer of antibodies during pregnancy. However, as vaccination became widespread among children, this newly immunized group received protection, leading to a rise in pertussis cases among adolescents and adults who have lost their vaccine-derived immunity, alongside infants who are now receiving fewer passive antibodies than those born before the vaccine era and are also too young for immunization as per the current vaccination guidelines.
Vaccination has significantly altered the previous understanding, as vaccinologists were unaware of the immune pathways that lead to true, lasting herd immunity, differing from the misleading notion of vaccine-induced herd immunity. This lack of knowledge has led us to our current situation, as depicted in the accompanying figure. Instead of being primarily a disease affecting children, pertussis has increasingly occurred in adolescents and adults. More alarmingly, infants who previously benefited from strong maternal antibodies are now at risk. The pertussis vaccination program has fundamentally transformed the epidemiology of pertussis; it has disrupted the natural process by which individuals develop immunity, resulting in vaccinated individuals becoming carriers of pertussis bacteria that evolve into new strains.
This shift began in the 1950s with the administration of the whole cell vaccine, and it intensified when the introduction of the less effective but perceived "safer" acellular vaccine led to prolonged colonization of the airways upon re-exposure to pertussis bacteria.
9. Vaccines Effectively Alter the Immune System's Programming
The phrase “original antigenic sin” (OAS) was first introduced by Dr. Thomas Francis, a prominent figure during the age of the Salk vaccine, recognized for supervising and analyzing the outcomes of the most extensive (and contentious) polio vaccine trial ever conducted. He clarified the concept of OAS by illustrating it with the example of the natural influenza virus.
When an individual encounters an infectious disease for the first time, the immune system activates its innate defenses, which primarily consist of pre-existing antibodies and some forms of cellular immunity. During this encounter, the body prepares for potential future infections. When the same infectious agent is encountered again, the immune system relies on its memory of the previous encounter to produce specific antibodies and replicate cells that identify the invaders and respond more swiftly.
In contrast, once a vaccine is administered, and the actual microorganism appears later, the immune system responds based on the programming established by the vaccination, which is what is referred to as original antigenic sin (OAS). The response triggered by vaccination differs significantly from natural immunity and tends to be less effective. Dr. Cherry later refined the terminology used to describe this phenomenon, rebranding it as “linked epitope suppression,” while still addressing the underlying issue.
A prior study found that children who experienced failures with the DTaP vaccine demonstrated a diminished antibody response to the non-vaccine antigen ACT, while unvaccinated children infected with pertussis exhibited a robust antibody response to the same antigen. This is an example of linked epitope suppression, where the immune reaction to new epitopes is hindered by the strong response elicited by the original vaccine components.
Subsequently, another physician confirmed this information in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The reduced level of protection afforded by DTaP, whether after the initial vaccination or the complete primary series, could stem from linked epitope suppression. This phenomenon occurs when the first exposure to the vaccine establishes an immune response targeted at specific epitopes, thereby hindering the response to other connected epitopes in later vaccinations.
The DTaP vaccine contains only 3 to 5 antigens, in stark contrast to the over 3,000 found in the DTwP vaccine. This difference leads to a phenomenon known as linked-epitope suppression, also referred to as original antigenic sin. As a result, children who receive the DTaP vaccine are more vulnerable to pertussis for the entirety of their lives, and there is no straightforward solution to mitigate this elevated lifelong risk.
Vaccinologists Advocate for Increased Vaccination Despite Setbacks. At the outset, all vaccines were expected to provide lifelong protection for those who received them, particularly from whooping cough.